How can PHP developers handle the issue of expired download links for users who face interruptions during the download process?

When users face interruptions during the download process, PHP developers can generate unique download links with an expiration time. If the download is interrupted, users can simply request a new link within the expiration window. This ensures that users can resume their downloads without any issues. 

<?php
// Generate a unique download link with expiration time
function generateDownloadLink($file) {
    $expiry_time = time() + 3600; // Link expires in 1 hour
    $token = md5($file . $expiry_time);
    
    // Store the token and expiry time in a database or session
    $_SESSION['download_token'] = $token;
    $_SESSION['expiry_time'] = $expiry_time;
    
    return "http://example.com/download.php?token=$token";
}

// Verify the download link before allowing access
function verifyDownloadLink($token) {
    if ($_SESSION['download_token'] == $token && $_SESSION['expiry_time'] >= time()) {
        // Link is valid, allow download
        return true;
    } else {
        // Link is expired or invalid
        return false;
    }
}

// Example usage
$file = "example.pdf";
$download_link = generateDownloadLink($file);

// User clicks on the download link
$token = $_GET['token'];
if (verifyDownloadLink($token)) {
    // Allow download
    echo "Downloading $file...";
} else {
    // Link is expired or invalid
    echo "Download link has expired. Please request a new link.";
}
?>

Keywords

PHP download links expiration interruptions handling

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