PDF FOLDER NOT STORE IN PLESK

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Storing files, especially PDFs, in web applications is a common requirement. When developing a Laravel application on Plesk, you might encounter issues where the PDF files are not being stored correctly, even after saving the file path in the database. This article delves into the common causes of this problem and provides comprehensive solutions to ensure your PDF files are stored and accessed correctly.

Understanding the Problem: PDF Files Not Stored in Plesk Laravel Application

When you're working with a Laravel application on Plesk, one of the common issues developers face is the inability to store PDF files in the designated directory, such as public/storage/pdf. The process typically involves creating a form for file uploads, saving the file path in the database, and then retrieving the file when needed. However, if the files are not being stored as expected, it can disrupt the functionality of your application. Let's break down the potential reasons and how to address them.

Common Causes for PDF Storage Failures

  1. File Permissions: One of the primary culprits is incorrect file permissions. The web server user (often www-data or apache) needs write permissions to the storage directory and its subdirectories. If the permissions are not set correctly, the server will be unable to write the uploaded PDF files to the designated location.

  2. Symbolic Link Issues: Laravel uses a symbolic link to connect the public/storage directory to the storage/app/public directory. If this symbolic link is not created or is broken, files uploaded to public/storage will not be accessible. This link is crucial for making the files publicly accessible while keeping them stored securely within the storage directory.

  3. Incorrect File Paths: Saving the wrong file path in the database can also lead to issues. Ensure that the file path you're saving is relative to the public directory and correctly reflects the location of the stored PDF file. Absolute paths can cause problems when the application is deployed to different environments.

  4. Plesk Configuration: Plesk, as a web hosting control panel, has its own set of configurations and security measures that might interfere with file uploads. Settings such as open_basedir restrictions or other PHP configurations can prevent the application from writing files to the storage directory.

  5. File Size Limits: PHP has upload limits defined in the php.ini file. If the PDF file size exceeds these limits, the file upload will fail. The upload_max_filesize and post_max_size directives in the php.ini file control the maximum file size that can be uploaded.

  6. Laravel Filesystem Configuration: Laravel's filesystem configuration, located in config/filesystems.php, defines the default disk and storage paths. If this configuration is not set up correctly, the files might not be stored in the expected location.

  7. Missing Storage Directory: If the storage/app/public directory or the public/storage/pdf subdirectory does not exist, the application will be unable to store the files. Ensure that these directories are created and have the correct permissions.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Resolve PDF Storage Issues

1. Correcting File Permissions

File permissions are critical for ensuring that your Laravel application can read and write files. The web server user needs the necessary permissions to access the storage directory. Incorrect file permissions are often the primary reason why files are not being stored correctly. To fix this, you need to ensure that the web server user has write access to the storage directory and its subdirectories.

Identifying the Web Server User

The first step is to identify the user that your web server is running under. This is typically www-data on Debian-based systems or apache on CentOS-based systems. You can often find this information in your web server configuration or by running a simple PHP script.

Create a PHP file (e.g., user.php) with the following content:

<?php
echo exec('whoami');
?>

Place this file in your web application's public directory and access it through your browser. The output will be the user your web server is running under.

Setting File Permissions via SSH

Once you know the web server user, you can set the correct file permissions using SSH. Connect to your server via SSH and navigate to your Laravel application's root directory. Then, execute the following commands:

chmod -R 775 storage
chmod -R 775 bootstrap/cache
chown -R www-data:www-data storage
chown -R www-data:www-data bootstrap/cache

Replace www-data with the actual web server user if it's different on your system. The chmod -R 775 command sets the permissions to allow the owner and group to read, write, and execute, while others can read and execute. The chown -R command changes the ownership of the directories to the web server user and group.

Alternative: Setting Permissions via Plesk

If you prefer using Plesk's interface, you can adjust file permissions through the File Manager. Navigate to your domain in Plesk, open the File Manager, and locate the storage and bootstrap/cache directories. Right-click on each directory, select