Javascript to load another js file - javascript

I am trying to load another JS file from a JS file.
From my JavaScript file run.js, I have the following:
document.write("<script type='text/javascript' src='my_script.js'></script>");
alert(nImages);
In side my_script.js I have the following:
<SCRIPT language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
<!--
nImages = 6;
//-->
</SCRIPT>
But I can't seem to get it to alert the nImages from my_script.js file.

You could do this:
var script = document.createElement('script');
script.src = 'my_script.js';
script.type = 'text/javascript';
script.onload = function () {
alert(nImages);
};
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(script);

You should not use HTML inside of your script file. Your script file my_script.js should have only this in it.
nImages = 6;
Additional note: you don't need language="JavaScript" or the <!-- or //-->. Those are old conventions not needed for modern browsers (even IE6). I'd also avoid using document.write() in your JS as it has performance implications. You may want to look at a library such as RequireJS which provides a better way to load other JS files in the page.
I also have a code snippet on Github inspired by Steve Souders that loads another file via straight JS.
var theOtherScript = 'http://example.com/js/script.js';
var el = document.createElement('script');
el.async = false;
el.src = theOtherScript;
el.type = 'text/javascript';
(document.getElementsByTagName('HEAD')[0]||document.body).appendChild(el);
This will append the other script to the element (if it exists) or the of the page.

Javascript files should not have HTML in them. They should consist entirely of Javascript code, so my_script.js should contain only:
nImages = 6;
This still won't work because when you write the new script tag into the document it doesn't run immediately. It is guaranteed that run.js finishes running before my_script.js starts, so nImages is undefined when you alert it and then becomes 6 later. You'll see that this works:
document.write("<script type='text/javascript' src='my_script.js'></script>");
function call_on_load(){
alert(nImages);
}
If the contents of my_script.js are:
nImages = 6;
call_on_load();
Edit
Since you said in a comment that you can not edit my_script.js you can do this although it is not nearly as nice a solution:
// Force nImages to be undefined
var undefined;
window.nImages = undefined;
document.write("<script type='text/javascript' src='my_script.js'></script>");
(function is_loaded(cb){
if(typeof window.nImages == 'undefined')
setTimeout(function(){ is_loaded(cb); }, 100);
else
cb();
})(function(){
// This is executed after the script has loaded
alert(nImages);
});
This is not a nice solution, however, since it will continue polling indefinitely if there is an error loading the script.
EDIT
You posted in a comment the file you want to include, which has the <SCRIPT at the top. This file is useless and you can't do anything about it client side. You'd have to write a server side script to load the file as text in which case you can just parse it for the value you want.

Related

Chrome console behaviour

I am injecting through console jquery:
var jq = document.createElement('script');
jq.src = "https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.4/jquery.min.js";
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(jq);
jQuery.noConflict();
Then I am using some jquery command
$('.first').position()
document.elementFromPoint(xPosition, yPosition).click();
After emulating click page in browser reloading. And than $('.first') allways return []; But on the page there are a lot of tags with class 'first'. It seems that console waiting for updating? Or what?
The appendChild is loading a script element into the DOM, that script tag then goes and downloads the file set to its src property. But this download takes time. It's asynchronous.
var jq = document.createElement('script');
jq.src = "https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.4/jquery.min.js";
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(jq);
So when you attempt to access jQuery immediately after in your javascript, that file hasn't been downloaded yet. Imagine that the file took an hour to download. You'd need to wait to be notified that the file had finished downloading before using that code. There's a number of ways to think about this, like using an interval to check if the global variable is there, but I think the simplest is just to use an onload event.
var jq = document.createElement('script');
jq.src = "https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.4/jquery.min.js";
jq.onload = function(){
//do stuff using jquery
}
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(jq);

Load external file variable and at the same time avoid browser external file caching

I need to append timestamp to the javaScript file in tag url to avoid caching.
This function found here in stackoverflow seems to do it:
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(){
var randomh=Math.random();
var e = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
var d = document.createElement("script");
d.src = "TESTINGX.JS?x="+randomh+"";
d.type = "text/javascript";
d.async = true;
d.defer = true;
e.parentNode.insertBefore(d,e);
})();
But the problem is that inside the file testingx.js I've placed the following code:
var hello = "Hello World!";
And for some reason the variable doesn't get the global scope (or maybe the problem is other).
My html is the following:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<HTML><HEAD>
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(){
var randomh=Math.random();
var e = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
var d = document.createElement("script");
d.src = "TESTINGX.JS?x="+randomh+"";
d.type = "text/javascript";
d.async = true;
d.defer = true;
e.parentNode.insertBefore(d,e);
})();
</script>
</HEAD><BODY>
<h1>WiFi Mini Web Server</h1>
<script>
document.write(hello); //hello var is contained in the TESTINGX.JS file\n\
</script>
</BODY></HTML>
If you want the external script to block everything else until it loads but still need to load it from a dynamic URL (it sounds like you do), you should be able to document.write the script element directly instead of using the DOM methods.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html><head>
<script>
var randomh = Math.random();
document.write('<script src="TESTINGX.JS?x=' + randomh + '"></' + 'script>');
</script>
</head><body>
<h1>WiFi Mini Web Server</h1>
<script>
document.write(hello); // hello var is contained in the TESTINGX.JS file
</script>
</body></html>
http://jsbin.com/ixagud/2/edit
You code for cache busting, also happens to ensure that the script is loaded in a "lazy", "non-blocking" manner. Which means the TESTING.js is loaded after your DOM is loaded. Which also means that the document.write script is run before the js file has loaded, and added the required var to the global scope.
There can be several solutions:
1. Remove defer and async from your loading script
Ensure variables from your script are accessed on your page, only after the script is actually loaded
Better yet, don't try to handle cache busting through clever javascript (I am assuming the html is question is served using some sort of server technology like a jsp or php script). Use the server technology to add a parameter with a random number or timestamp to the usual script tag in the html
Instead of using a script to bust cache, use a normal script tag, with a parameter that is same as the timestamp in millis, as on the day when you make the build, and embed in your microcontroller / server. Treat this like a version number of the js file. So clients can use the file cached in their browser, provided the version number is the latest.
This ant task http://code.google.com/p/ant-web-tasks/wiki/CacheBusting is a good way to implement point no 4. I have had good experience with it.
Hope this helps.
try this
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(){
var randomh=Math.random();
var e = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
var d = document.createElement("script");
d.src = "TESTINGX.JS?x="+randomh+"";
d.type = "text/javascript";
d.async = true;
d.defer = true;
e.parentNode.insertBefore(d,e);
document.write(hello);
})();
</script>

Can't insert js programmatically if it uses document.write

I am trying to insert js files programmatically, using jquery and something like this:
var script = document.createElement( 'script' );
script.type = 'text/javascript';
script.src = 'http://someurl/test.js';
$('body').append(script);
It works fine, if test.js contains an alert or some simple code it works fine, but if the file test.js contains document.write, and the file including the js is hosted on another domain than test.js (or localhost), nothing happens and firebug shows the error :
A call to document.write() from an asynchronously-loaded external
script was ignored.
If the test.js and the file that include it are hosted on the same domain, on chrome it still wont work but on firefox the document.write gets executed fine but the page stays "loading" forever and sniffer show request to all the files with "pending" status.
What other methods to include js files programmatically could I try?
use innerHTML instead of using document,write.
and use following code to register script,
(function() {
var jq = document.createElement('script');
jq.type = 'text/javascript';
jq.async = true;
jq.src = 'http://someurl/test.js';
var s = document.body.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(jq, s);
})();
Document.write is ONLY for synchronous tasks when the html is loaded (for the very first time), never for asynchronous tasks like the one you are trying to do.
What you want to do is dynamically insert a <script> DOM element into the HEAD element. I had this script sitting around. As an example, it's a race condition, but you get the idea. Call load_js with the URL. This is done for many modern APIs, and it's your best friend for cross-domain JavaScript.
<html>
<head>
<script>
var load_js = function(data, callback)
{
var head = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0];
var script = document.createElement("script");
script.type = "text/javascript";
script.src = data;
head.appendChild(script);
if(callback != undefined)
callback();
}
load_js("http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.6.2/jquery.min.js");
setTimeout(function() {
$('body').html('loaded');
}, 1000);
</script>
</head>
<body></body>
</html>
There isn't anything wrong with your approach to inserting JavaScript. document.write just sucks a little bit. It is only for synchronous tasks, so putting a document.write in a separate script file is asking for trouble. People do it anyway. The solution I've seen most often for this is to override document.write.

Is it possible to use a variable for a javascript reference

Instead of:
<script src="/scripts/myJsFile.v1.js" type="text/javascript></script>
Have something like
<script src="/scripts/myJsFile." + versionVar + ".js" type="text/javascript></script>
This way when we update the js version files the user won't have to clear their cache.
Not in that way, because you're mixing HTML and JavaScript together. HTML does not have JavaScript variables available.
What you can do, however, is adding the <script> tag dynamically, i.e. through JavaScript. That way, you obviously are able to use variables:
<script>
var versionVar = "1.0";
window.addEventListener('load', function() { // on load
var scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); // create tag
scriptTag.src = "/scripts/myJsFile." + versionVar + ".js" // set src attribute
scriptTag.type = "text/javascript"; //set type attribute
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptTag); // append to <head>
}, false);
</script>
Check out how Google loads their Analytics. Then maybe try something similar like:
(function() {
var versionVar = 9;
var ga = document.createElement('script');
ga.type = 'text/javascript';
ga.src = 'http://www' + '.google-analytics.com/ga' + versionVar + '.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
You can't do this in your HTML file directly. But still you can do this inside an script tag if versopnVar is a JavaScript variable in your window context:
<script type="text/javascript">
var script = document.createElement('script');
script.setAttribute('src', '/scripts/myJsFile.' + versionVar + '.js');
script.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
document.body.appendChild(script);
</script>
At the end, it's not a good aproach doing this. Please read this article at a list apart to get informed.
Alternative Style: Working With Alternate Style Sheets
It would probably be better to do something like
<script src="/scripts/myJsFile.js?v1" type="text/javascript></script>
Then, when you make and update:
<script src="/scripts/myJsFile.js?v2" type="text/javascript></script>
Which will cause most browsers to pull the file rather than pull from cache. This means that you won't have separate JS files. But will just be forcing the user to pull the most recent.
Also, if you want it to always pull the file you can, in a similar manner, append a random int.
You cannot do that straight out.
One way is with some server side code.
For example in php:
<?php $version = "1.0"; ?>
<script src="/scripts/myJsFile.<?php echo $version ?>.js" type="text/javascript></script>
Not exactly that way, but you can create a new script node with e.g. document.createElement and add it to the page.
var s = document.createElement("script");
s.src = ...
document.body.appendChild(s);
You can also use the document.write call to do the same...
You'd have to update your page to update the variable. Also, you'd have to update your javascript file name every time you changed it.
You can use a query string to make your JS unique.
<script src="/scripts/myJsFile.js?version=2" type="text/javascript></script>
marshall & I had the same Idea.
Also, you'd have to update your HTML file every time you updated your Javascript file.

How to include jquery.js in another js file?

I want to include jquery.js in myjs.js file. I wrote the code below for this.
var theNewScript=document.createElement("script");
theNewScript.type="text/javascript";
theNewScript.src="http://example.com/jquery.js";
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(theNewScript);
$.get(myfile.php);
There shows an error on the 5th line that is '$ not defined'. I want to include jquery.js and then want to call $.get() function in myjs.js file. How can I do this?
Please help me
Appending a script tag inside the document head programmatically does not necessarily mean that the script will be available immediately. You should wait for the browser to download that file, parse and execute it. Some browsers fire an onload event for scripts in which you can hookup your logic. But this is not a cross-browser solution. I would rather "poll" for a specific symbol to become available, like this:
var theNewScript = document.createElement("script");
theNewScript.type = "text/javascript";
theNewScript.src = "http://example.com/jquery.js";
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(theNewScript);
// jQuery MAY OR MAY NOT be loaded at this stage
var waitForLoad = function () {
if (typeof jQuery != "undefined") {
$.get("myfile.php");
} else {
window.setTimeout(waitForLoad, 1000);
}
};
window.setTimeout(waitForLoad, 1000);
The problem is that the script doesn't load instantly, it takes some time for the script file to download into your page and execute (in case of jQuery to define $).
I would recommend you to use HeadJS. then you can do:
head.js("/path/to/jQuery.js", function() {
$.get('myfile.php');
});
Simple answer, Dont. The jQuery file
is very touchy to intruders so dont
try. Joining other files into jQuery
file will often cause errors in the JS
console, PLUS jQuery isn't initialized
until the file is loaded into main
document.
Sorry, scratch that. Didnt quite know what you were doing.
Try this:
var s = document.createElement('script');
s.type = 'text/javascript';
s.async = true;
s.src = 'http://domain.com/jquery.js';
(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(s);
I used this code before, and it worked:
var t=document;
var o=t.createElement('script');
o=t.standardCreateElement('script');
o.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');
o.setAttribute('src','http://www.example.com/js/jquery-1.3.2.js');
t.lastChild.firstChild.appendChild(o);

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