We’re pleased to announce that support for chunked transfer encoding has been added to the Advanced File Scan API. This addition comes with the release of Cloudmersive Cloud Virus API v9-6-0.

Support for chunked transfer encoding improves performance and memory management for the Advanced File Scan API in workflows involving large files.

What is chunked transfer encoding, and what is it used for?

Chunked transfer encoding is a widely utilized web communication encoding method, originally introduced as part of the HTTP/1.1 protocol.

The chunked encoding method makes it possible for servers and clients to keep up a persistent connection when partial file content is transferred in an HTTP request. This method is extremely useful for HTTP request scenarios involving large content data transfers or streams, especially when the exact length of content is unknown at the outset of the transmission.

How does chunked transfer encoding work?

Chunked transfer encoding is enabled in an HTTP request when the Transfer-Encoding header is included and set to chunked.

In a chunked transfer encoding request, a server sends content data to a client as a series of “chunks” rather than a single, monolithic entity. Instead of waiting for the entire transmission to arrive, the client can begin processing each chunk of content individually. Each chunk is preceded by information (hexadecimal) about its size, and when all content data is transferred, the end of that content is explicitly signaled to the client.

Chunked transfer encoding with the Advanced File Scan API

Sending files to the Advanced File Scan API in chunks improves performance for requests involving large files. Thanks to chunked transfer encoding, file scans can begin when initial portions of a file are received and finish after the final portion of that file arrives.

Scanning files with the Advanced File Scan API

The Advanced File Scan API offers 360-degree protection against viruses, malware, and custom content threats including macros, scripts, executables, and more.

For more information on utilizing chunked transfer requests to scan large files with the Advanced File Scan API, please feel free to contact a member of our team.