Uploader

An uploader is a program, system component, or user that transfers files from a local device to a remote destination. In computing, uploaders are used to submit data to servers, cloud storage, or peer-to-peer networks. In web applications, an uploader usually refers to the client-side interface and the accompanying server-side handler that accepts file data through HTTP requests. The interface may support drag-and-drop, file selection dialogs, or automated batch uploads, and often provides a progress indicator, pause and resume capabilities, and error reporting.

Uploader implementations vary by environment. A web uploader may use HTML forms with multipart/form-data or asynchronous techniques such as XMLHttpRequest or fetch to upload in chunks. Dedicated clients, such as FTP clients or cloud storage apps, perform uploads using established protocols. In content management systems and social platforms, uploaders also attach metadata like file type, titles, and tags, and may apply validation to limit size, type, and duplication.

Security and reliability considerations include user authentication and authorization, data encryption in transit, server-side malware scanning, rate limiting, and resumable transfers to recover from interruptions. Some upload workflows integrate with content moderation or licensing checks before the data is accepted or made public.

In practice, the term is used to describe both the user who selects and sends files and the software component that handles the transfer. See also: upload, FTP, HTTP POST, resumable upload, cloud storage.