Download file with ajax() POST request via Spring MVC

Question

I try to download a file. The action is triggered by ajax() POST request. The request sends data in JSON format to the controller. The controller gener

Answer 1

Just send a URL of file in response and then "visit" it in your success callback.

function getLicenseFile() {
    $.ajax({
        type: 'POST',
        url: '<%=request.getContextPath()%>/licenses/rest/downloadLicenseFile',
        dataType: 'json',
        contentType: 'application/json;charset=UTF-8',
        data: ko.mapping.toJSON(licenseModel),
        success: function (data) {
            window.open(data.fileUrl);
            // or window.location.href = data.fileUrl;
        },
        error:function (xhr, ajaxOptions, thrownError) {
            console.log("in error");
        } 
    });
}

data.fileUrl should be set in response by server to say client where to get the file.

So your server will send a response with JSON like

{
    "fileUrl": "http://mysite.com/files/0123456789"
}