rename trick on multiple download links to same file ?

Hi, we experienced an issue on using the vanity name on URL link creation.

Is it possible/ advisable to use API like this:

1. we receive an individual user download reqeust
2. we want to mark the file name with a dedicated ID (per user)
3. we use API rename to change the file name to dedicated ID
4. we generate the download link URL (it gets the ID as the file name)
5. we pass the link to user
6. we immediately rename the file back to its original name (not really needed to do so in this process but just to illustrate the total idea)

The idea here is that each user should get to download the same file content but as a uniquely named file.

We know that at least by creating copy of the original file and renaming and sharing that will work as expected. The question is if there is a "smarter" way to deliver the same final experience and result.

Best,
Tomas

Alex Novotny

April 12, 2023 15:04

Hi,

Interesting question. We don't natively have a way to do this today. So, the only option would be to do something like what you listed out. However, in order to do it, you would have to have a portal/custom web application to run that logic - which I'm assuming you figured already. My bigger concern would be scale. Box does have rate limits, so in order to do it at scale, you would potentially want each user to use their own token created so they don't hit a limit. These could be created and revoked as part of the logic.

Alex, Box Developer Advocate

Comments