Why can't I do ``?

The "Why": Browser's local file restrictions

Browser impose security restrictions on accessing local files. They adhere to a same-origin policy that prevents web pages from interacting with local files that aren't part of their base domain.

How to: Ways to access local files

Still need to work with local files? Here's a few options:

1. Local servers

Setting up a local server allows you to work with local files while simulating a typical web server environment.

2. ‘file://’ protocol

Some browsers may allow limited local file access, e.g., using the 'file://' protocol:

<img src="file:///C:/path/to/image/localfile.jpg">
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However, be aware differing browser behaviors and potential security implications.

3. IIS virtual directories

In a Windows environment, Internet Information Services (IIS) can serve local files, enabled by setting up a virtual directory.

4. Browser extensions

Extensions for browsers like Firefox and IE can offer a more direct, albeit risky, way to interact with local files.

Hazards: Risks and precautions

Bypassing browser security measures isn't without risks. Always securely configure your local servers and restrict permissions to protect your system. And remember, server-hosted solutions protect you from security breaches.

Other options: Advanced alternatives

Data URIs:

Base64 encoded strings with Data URI scheme can be used to embed images directly in your HTML:

<!-- Say cheese in base64 🧀 -->
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJR...">
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Apache or NGINX:

Web servers like Apache or NGINX can configure settings to access local files.

Network drives:

In a network environment, you can utilize network drives to map local file paths to network addresses.

Recommended practices

Summing up, here's the ideal way:

• Host all resources on the server.
• Use version control systems.
• Automate processing of local images for uploading to server.