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Features Overview
Virtual Files provides a comprehensive set of features for creating and managing virtual files in WordPress. This overview covers all major functionality available in the current version.
Core Features
🚀 Virtual File Management
Create and manage files that behave as if they physically exist in your website root directory.
Key Capabilities:
- Clean URLs: Serve files through SEO-friendly URLs
- Dynamic Content: Update files without FTP access
- WordPress Integration: Full integration with WordPress admin
- File Status Control: Enable/disable files without deletion
- Database Storage: Files stored as WordPress custom post type
📁 File Type Support
Support for various file types with proper MIME headers.
Free Version File Types:
| File Type | Extension | MIME Type | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text Files | .txt | text/plain; charset=utf-8 | Documentation, logs, configuration |
| Markdown | .md | text/markdown; charset=utf-8 | Documentation, readme files |
| JSON | .json | application/json; charset=utf-8 | API responses, configuration |
Pro Version Additional File Types:
| File Type | Extension | MIME Type | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| XML | .xml | application/xml; charset=utf-8 | Sitemaps, RSS feeds, data exchange |
| RSS | .rss | application/rss+xml; charset=utf-8 | News feeds, updates |
| CSV | .csv | text/csv; charset=utf-8 | Data export, spreadsheets |
| YAML | .yml, .yaml | text/yaml; charset=utf-8 | Configuration files |
| Log Files | .log | text/plain; charset=utf-8 | Debug logs, access logs |
⚡ Performance Optimization
Built for fast file serving with minimal overhead.
Query Optimization:
- Efficient Database Queries: Optimized meta queries
- Minimal Overhead: Reduced database load
- Smart Rewrite Rules: Efficient URL routing
Pro Version Caching:
- Transient-based Caching: WordPress native caching
- Configurable TTL: Set cache expiration times (5 minutes - 24 hours)
- Smart Invalidation: Automatic cache updates on file changes
🔒 Security & Access Control
Multi-layer security system for safe file serving.
Content Security:
- Input Sanitization: WordPress security functions
- Content Validation: File-type specific validation
- XSS Protection: Output escaping and filtering
- Path Traversal Prevention: Secure filename handling
Access Control:
- User Permission Checks: WordPress capability system
- Secure File Serving: Proper MIME headers and content encoding
Free Version Features
Core Functionality
- ✅ Basic File Types: TXT, MD, JSON
- ✅ File Management: Create, edit, delete virtual files
- ✅ Clean URL Serving: Proper rewrite rules
- ✅ Basic Text Editor: Simple content editing
- ✅ File Status Control: Active/inactive states
- ✅ WordPress Integration: Full admin integration
- ✅ UTF-8 Support: International character support
- ✅ Basic Settings: Essential configuration options
- ✅ Security: Content sanitization and validation
Limitations
- ❌ File Limit: Maximum 5 active files
- ❌ Advanced File Types: No XML, RSS, CSV, YAML, LOG
- ❌ Performance Caching: No caching system
- ❌ Analytics: No access tracking
- ❌ Import/Export: No backup/restore functionality
- ❌ Advanced Editor: Basic text editor only
- ❌ Premium Support: Community support only
Pro Version Features
🚀 Unlimited File Management
- ✅ Unlimited Files: No limit on active virtual files
- ✅ All File Types: TXT, MD, JSON, XML, RSS, CSV, YAML, LOG
- ✅ Advanced MIME Handling: Proper headers for all types
- ✅ Enhanced Accessibility: Real-time status indicators
- ✅ File Size Display: Human-readable file sizes
- ✅ Visit Statistics: Track file access counts
💻 Advanced Editor
- ✅ CodeMirror Integration: Professional code editor
- ✅ Syntax Highlighting: Language-specific highlighting
- ✅ Multiple Themes: Dark/light editor themes
- ✅ Line Numbers: Show/hide line numbers
- ✅ Bracket Matching: Visual bracket pairing
- ✅ Auto-close Brackets: Automatic bracket completion
- ✅ Keyboard Shortcuts: Ctrl-Space autocomplete, Ctrl-/ comment, F11 fullscreen
- ✅ Auto-indent: Smart indentation based on file type
⚡ Performance Caching
- ✅ Smart Caching: Transient-based with TTL (5 minutes - 24 hours)
- ✅ Cache Statistics: Monitor cache performance
- ✅ Bulk Cache Operations: Warm up, clear, refresh caches
- ✅ Cache Invalidation: Automatic updates on file changes
- ✅ Performance Metrics: File serving performance data
📊 File Access Analytics
- ✅ Access Tracking: Monitor file access patterns
- ✅ Performance Metrics: Response times and hit rates
- ✅ Enhanced Sidebar: Real-time analytics display
- ✅ File Size Monitoring: Track content size changes
- ✅ Last Modified Tracking: Relative time display
📦 Import/Export
- ✅ Bulk Export: Export all virtual files as JSON
- ✅ ZIP Export: Compressed backup with all files
- ✅ File Import: Restore from backup files
- ✅ Progress Tracking: Visual progress indicators
- ✅ Duplicate Detection: Skip existing files during import
- ✅ 10MB File Size Limit: Maximum backup file size
🎨 Enhanced UI/UX
- ✅ Improved Interface: Enhanced admin design
- ✅ Copy URL Functionality: One-click URL copying
- ✅ Visit File Buttons: Direct file access from admin
- ✅ Real-time Status Updates: Live accessibility indicators
- ✅ Enhanced Validation: Improved error handling and feedback
Technical Features
WordPress Integration
- Custom Post Type:
virtual_filewith custom meta fields - Rewrite Rules: Dynamic URL routing
- Meta Box System: Custom admin interface elements
- Hook System: WordPress hooks and filters for customization
- Freemius Integration: License management and updates
Developer-Friendly
- PSR-4 Autoloading: Modern PHP architecture
- Modular Design: Trait-based functionality
- Action Hooks: Extensible with custom code
- Filter System: Modify plugin behavior
- Content Sanitization: Security-first approach
- Nonce Protection: Secure form handling
Performance Optimized
- Database Optimization: Efficient queries and indexing
- Asset Loading: Conditional script/style loading
- Memory Management: Optimized memory usage
- Cache Integration: WordPress native caching system
- Minified Assets: Production-ready CSS/JS
Feature Comparison
| Feature Category | Free Version | Pro Version |
|---|---|---|
| File Management | ||
| Active Files Limit | 5 files | Unlimited |
| File Types | 3 basic | 8 advanced |
| Real-time Status | Basic | Enhanced |
| Editor Features | ||
| Text Editor | Basic textarea | CodeMirror Pro |
| Syntax Highlighting | ❌ | ✅ |
| Theme Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Performance | ||
| Caching System | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cache Statistics | ❌ | ✅ |
| Performance Metrics | ❌ | ✅ |
| Analytics | ||
| Access Tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Performance Data | ❌ | ✅ |
| Enhanced Sidebar | Basic | Analytics |
| Backup & Restore | ||
| Bulk Export | ❌ | ✅ |
| Import Files | ❌ | ✅ |
| ZIP Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| UI/UX | ||
| Copy URL | ✅ | ✅ |
| Visit File | ✅ | ✅ |
| Status Indicators | Basic | Real-time |
Use Case Examples
SEO Professionals
- Dynamic robots.txt: Update robots file without FTP
- XML Sitemaps: Create custom sitemaps
- Meta Tag Files: Serve verification files
- Domain Ownership: Generate verification files
Developers
- API Endpoints: Create configuration files for APIs
- Development Config: Serve development configuration
- Testing Files: Mock endpoints for development
- Documentation: Create API documentation files
Content Managers
- Documentation: Serve markdown documentation
- Download Files: Generate CSV data exports
- Configuration: Dynamic configuration files
- Maintenance Pages: Custom maintenance files
E-commerce Sites
- Product Feeds: RSS/JSON product feeds
- Inventory Data: Dynamic inventory files
- Price Lists: CSV price downloads
- Integration Files: Third-party service files
Architecture Highlights
File Storage
- Files stored as WordPress custom post type
- Metadata in custom post meta fields
- Content versioning via post revisions
- Efficient database queries with proper indexing
URL Routing
- WordPress rewrite rule integration
- Clean URL structure
- Automatic MIME type detection
- Proper HTTP header handling
Security Implementation
- WordPress nonce protection
- Content sanitization and validation
- File extension verification
- User capability checking
Next Steps
Ready to dive deeper into specific features?
- File Types: Detailed information about supported formats
- Free vs Pro: Detailed comparison and upgrade guide
- Installation: Get started with Virtual Files
- Creating Files: Learn to create virtual files
- Managing Files: Organize and maintain your files
Need Help?
- FAQ - Answers to common questions
- Troubleshooting - Step-by-step problem solving
- Contact Support - Contact options and resources