Java Script with CSS
Jave Script Objects | |||
---|---|---|---|
JS Objects Intro | JS Date | JS Boolean | JS RegExp |
JS String | JS Array | JS Math |
Java Script Advanced | ||
---|---|---|
JS Browser | JS Validation | JS Create Object |
JS Cookies | JS Timing | JS Summary |
Jave Script Examples | ||
---|---|---|
JS Examples | JS Browser Examples | JS HTML DOM Reference |
JS Objects Examples | JS DOM Examples |
Jave Script References | |
---|---|
JavaScript Objects | Browser Objects Reference |
HTML DOM Objects |
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/default.asp
JavaScript Tutorial
JavaScript is THE scripting language of the Web.
JavaScript is used in billions of Web pages to add functionality, validate forms, communicate with the server, and much more.
JavaScript is easy to learn. You will enjoy it.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_intro.asp
JavaScript Introduction
JavaScript is the most popular scripting language on the internet, and works in all major browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and Safari.
What You Should Already Know:
Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:
• HTML and CSS
If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.
What is JavaScript?
• JavaScript was designed to add interactivity to HTML pages
• JavaScript is a scripting language
• A scripting language is a lightweight programming language
• JavaScript is usually embedded directly into HTML pages
• JavaScript is an interpreted language (means that scripts execute without preliminary compilation)
• Everyone can use JavaScript without purchasing a license
Are Java and JavaScript the same?
NO!
Java and JavaScript are two completely different languages in both concept and design!
Java (developed by Sun Microsystems) is a powerful and much more complex programming language - in the same category as C and C++.
What Can JavaScript do?
• JavaScript gives HTML designers a programming tool - HTML authors are normally not programmers, but JavaScript is a scripting language with a very simple syntax! Almost anyone can put small "snippets" of code into their HTML pages
• JavaScript can react to events - A JavaScript can be set to execute when something happens, like when a page has finished loading or when a user clicks on an HTML element
• JavaScript can read and write HTML elements - A JavaScript can read and change the content of an HTML element
• JavaScript can be used to validate data - A JavaScript can be used to validate form data before it is submitted to a server. This saves the server from extra processing
• JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor's browser - A JavaScript can be used to detect the visitor's browser, and - depending on the browser - load another page specifically designed for that browser
• JavaScript can be used to create cookies - A JavaScript can be used to store and retrieve information on the visitor's computer
JavaScript = ECMAScript
JavaScript is an implementation of the ECMAScript language standard. ECMA-262 is the official JavaScript standard.
JavaScript was invented by Brendan Eich at Netscape (with Navigator 2.0), and has appeared in all browsers since 1996.
The official standardization was adopted by the ECMA organization (an industry standardization association) in 1997.
The ECMA standard (called ECMAScript-262) was approved as an international ISO (ISO/IEC 16262) standard in 1998.
The development is still in progress.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_howto.asp
JavaScript: How To
The HTML < script> tag is used to insert a JavaScript into an HTML page.
Writing to The HTML Document
The example below writes a < p> element with current date information to the HTML document:
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write("< p>" + Date() + "< /p>");
< /script>
Note: Try to avoid using document.write() in real life JavaScript code. The entire HTML page will be overwritten if document.write() is used inside a function, or after the page is loaded. However, document.write() is an easy way to demonstrate JavaScript output in a tutorial.
Changing HTML Elements
The example below writes the current date into an existing < p> element (written within the body tags:
< p id="demo">< /p>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=Date();
< /script>
Note: To manipulate HTML elements JavaScript uses the DOM method getElementById().
This method accesses the element with the specified id.
Examples Explained
To insert a JavaScript into an HTML page, use the < script> tag.
Inside the < script> tag use the type attribute to define the scripting language.
The < script> and < /script> tells where the JavaScript starts and ends:
Inside html and body tags:
< h1>My First Web Page< /h1>
< p id="demo">This is a paragraph.< /p>
< script type="text/javascript">
... some JavaScript code ...
< /script>
The lines between the < script> and < /script> contain the JavaScript and are executed by the browser.
In this case the browser will replace the content of the HTML element with id="demo", with the current date:
< h1>My First Web Page< /h1>
< p id="demo">This is a paragraph.< /p>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=Date();
< /script>
Without the < script> tag(s), the browser will treat "document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=Date();" as pure text and just write it to the page.
Some Browsers do Not Support JavaScript
Browsers that do not support JavaScript, will display JavaScript as page content.
To prevent them from doing this, and as a part of the JavaScript standard, the HTML comment tag should be used to "hide" the JavaScript.
Just add an HTML comment tag < !-- before the first JavaScript statement, and a --> (end of comment) after the last JavaScript statement, like this:
< script type="text/javascript">
< !--
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=Date();
//-->
< /script>
The two forward slashes at the end of comment line (//) is the JavaScript comment symbol. This prevents JavaScript from executing the --> tag.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_whereto.asp
JavaScript: Where To
JavaScripts can be put in the < body> and in the < head> sections of an HTML page.
JavaScript in < body>
The example below writes the current date into an existing < p> element when the page loads:
< h1>My First Web Page< /h1>
< p id="demo">< /p>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=Date();
< /script>
Note that the JavaScript is placed at the bottom of the page to make sure it is not executed before the < p> element is created.
JavaScript Functions and Events
JavaScripts in an HTML page will be executed when the page loads. This is not always what we want.
Sometimes we want to execute a JavaScript when an event occurs, such as when a user clicks a button. When this is the case we can put the script inside a function.
Events are normally used in combination with functions (like calling a function when an event occurs).
You will learn more about JavaScript functions and events in later chapters.
JavaScript in < head>
The example below calls a function when a button is clicked:
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function displayDate()
{
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=Date();
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< h1>My First Web Page< /h1>
< p id="demo">< /p>
< button type="button" onclick="displayDate()">Display Date< /button>
< /body>
Scripts in < head> and < body>
You can place an unlimited number of scripts in your document, and you can have scripts in both the body and the head section at the same time.
It is a common practice to put all functions in the head section, or at the bottom of the page. This way they are all in one place and do not interfere with page content.
Using an External JavaScript
JavaScript can also be placed in external files.
External JavaScript files often contain code to be used on several different web pages.
External JavaScript files have the file extension .js.
Note: External script cannot contain the < script>< /script> tags!
To use an external script, point to the .js file in the "src" attribute of the < script> tag:
< head>
< script type="text/javascript" src="xxx.js">< /script>
< /head>
Note: Remember to place the script exactly where you normally would write the script!
ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_statements.asp
JavaScript Statements
JavaScript is a sequence of statements to be executed by the browser.
JavaScript is Case Sensitive
Unlike HTML, JavaScript is case sensitive - therefore watch your capitalization closely when you write JavaScript statements, create or call variables, objects and functions.
JavaScript Statements
A JavaScript statement is a command to a browser. The purpose of the command is to tell the browser what to do.
This JavaScript statement tells the browser to write "Hello Dolly" to the web page:
document.write("Hello Dolly");
It is normal to add a semicolon at the end of each executable statement. Most people think this is a good programming practice, and most often you will see this in JavaScript examples on the web.
The semicolon is optional (according to the JavaScript standard), and the browser is supposed to interpret the end of the line as the end of the statement. Because of this you will often see examples without the semicolon at the end.
Note: Using semicolons makes it possible to write multiple statements on one line.
JavaScript Code
JavaScript code (or just JavaScript) is a sequence of JavaScript statements.
Each statement is executed by the browser in the sequence they are written.
This example will write a heading and two paragraphs to a web page:
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write("< h1>This is a heading< /h1>");
document.write("< p>This is a paragraph.< /p>");
document.write("< p>This is another paragraph.< /p>");
< /script>
JavaScript Blocks
JavaScript statements can be grouped together in blocks.
Blocks start with a left curly bracket {, and end with a right curly bracket }.
The purpose of a block is to make the sequence of statements execute together.
This example will write a heading and two paragraphs to a web page:
< script type="text/javascript">
{
document.write("< h1>This is a heading< /h1>");
document.write("< p>This is a paragraph.< /p>");
document.write("< p>This is another paragraph.< /p>");
}
< /script>
The example above is not very useful. It just demonstrates the use of a block. Normally a block is used to group statements together in a function or in a condition (where a group of statements should be executed if a condition is met).
You will learn more about functions and conditions in later chapters.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_comments.asp
JavaScript Comments
JavaScript comments can be used to make the code more readable.
JavaScript Comments
Comments can be added to explain the JavaScript, or to make the code more readable.
Single line comments start with //.
The following example uses single line comments to explain the code:
< script type="text/javascript">
// Write a heading
document.write("< h1>This is a heading< /h1>");
// Write two paragraphs:
document.write("< p>This is a paragraph.< /p>");
document.write("< p>This is another paragraph.< /p>");
< /script>
JavaScript Multi-Line Comments
Multi line comments start with /* and end with */.
The following example uses a multi line comment to explain the code:
< script type="text/javascript">
/*
The code below will write
one heading and two paragraphs
*/
document.write("< h1>This is a heading< /h1>");
document.write("< p>This is a paragraph.< /p>");
document.write("< p>This is another paragraph.< /p>");
< /script>
Using Comments to Prevent Execution
In the following example the comment is used to prevent the execution of a single code line (can be suitable for debugging):
< script type="text/javascript">
//document.write("< h1>This is a heading< /h1>");
document.write("< p>This is a paragraph.< /p>");
document.write("< p>This is another paragraph.< /p>");
< /script>
In the following example the comment is used to prevent the execution of a code block (can be suitable for debugging):
< script type="text/javascript">
/*
document.write("< h1>This is a heading< /h1>");
document.write("< p>This is a paragraph.< /p>");
document.write("< p>This is another paragraph.< /p>");
*/
< /script>
Using Comments at the End of a Line
In the following example the comment is placed at the end of a code line:
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write("Hello"); // Write "Hello"
document.write(" Dolly!"); // Write " Dolly!"
< /script>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_variables.asp
JavaScript Variables
Variables are "containers" for storing information.
Do You Remember Algebra From School?
Do you remember algebra from school? x=5, y=6, z=x+y
Do you remember that a letter (like x) could be used to hold a value (like 5), and that you could use the information above to calculate the value of z to be 11?
These letters are called variables, and variables can be used to hold values (x=5) or expressions (z=x+y).
JavaScript Variables
As with algebra, JavaScript variables are used to hold values or expressions.
A variable can have a short name, like x, or a more descriptive name, like carname.
Rules for JavaScript variable names:
• Variable names are case sensitive (y and Y are two different variables)
• Variable names must begin with a letter or the underscore character
Note: Because JavaScript is case-sensitive, variable names are case-sensitive.
Example
A variable's value can change during the execution of a script. You can refer to a variable by its name to display or change its value:
The script above declares a variable, assigns a value to it, displays the value, changes the value, and displays the value again.
< script type="text/javascript">
var firstname;
firstname="Hege";
document.write(firstname);
document.write("< br />");
firstname="Tove";
document.write(firstname);
< /script>
< p>The script above declares a variable,
assigns a value to it, displays the value, changes the value,
and displays the value again.
Declaring (Creating) JavaScript Variables
Creating variables in JavaScript is most often referred to as "declaring" variables.
You declare JavaScript variables with the var keyword:
var x;
var carname;
After the declaration shown above, the variables are empty (they have no values yet).
However, you can also assign values to the variables when you declare them:
var x=5;
var carname="Volvo";
After the execution of the statements above, the variable x will hold the value 5, and carname will hold the value Volvo.
Note: When you assign a text value to a variable, use quotes around the value.
Note: If you redeclare a JavaScript variable, it will not lose its value.
Local JavaScript Variables
A variable declared within a JavaScript function becomes LOCAL and can only be accessed within that function. (the variable has local scope).
You can have local variables with the same name in different functions, because local variables are only recognized by the function in which they are declared.
Local variables are destroyed when you exit the function.
You will learn more about functions in a later chapter of this tutorial.
Global JavaScript Variables
Variables declared outside a function become GLOBAL, and all scripts and functions on the web page can access it.
Global variables are destroyed when you close the page.
If you declare a variable, without using "var", the variable always becomes GLOBAL.
Assigning Values to Undeclared JavaScript Variables
If you assign values to variables that have not yet been declared, the variables will automatically be declared as global variables.
These statements:
x=5;
carname="Volvo";
will declare the variables x and carname as global variables (if they don't already exist).
JavaScript Arithmetic
As with algebra, you can do arithmetic operations with JavaScript variables:
y=x-5;
z=y+5;
You will learn more about the operators that can be used in the next chapter of this tutorial.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_operators.asp
JavaScript Operators
= is used to assign values.
+ is used to add values.
The assignment operator = is used to assign values to JavaScript variables.
The arithmetic operator + is used to add values together.
y=5;
z=2;
x=y+z;
The value of x, after the execution of the statements above, is 7.
JavaScript Arithmetic Operators
Arithmetic operators are used to perform arithmetic between variables and/or values.
Given that y=5, the table below explains the arithmetic operators:
Operator | Description | Example | Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
+ | Addition | x=y+2 | x=7 | y=5 |
- | Subtraction | x=y-2 | x=3 | y=5 |
* | Multiplication | x=y*2 | x=10 | y=5 |
/ | Division | x=y/2 | x=2.5 | y=5 |
% | Modulus (division remainder) | x=y%2 | x=1 | y=5 |
++ | Increment | x=++y | x=6 | y=6 |
x=y++ | x=5 | y=6 | ||
-- | Decrement | x=--y | x=4 | y=4 |
x=y-- | x=5 | y=4 |
JavaScript Assignment Operators
Assignment operators are used to assign values to JavaScript variables.
Given that x=10 and y=5, the table below explains the assignment operators:
Operator | Example | Same As | Result |
---|---|---|---|
= | x+y | x=5 | |
+= | x+=y | x=x+y | x=15 |
-= | x-=y | x=x-y | x=5 |
*= | x*=y | x=x*y | x=50 |
/= | x/=y | x=x/y | x=2 |
%= | x%=y | x=x%y | x-0 |
The + Operator Used on Strings
The + operator can also be used to add string variables or text values together.
To add two or more string variables together, use the + operator.
txt1="What a very";
txt2="nice day";
txt3=txt1+txt2;
After the execution of the statements above, the variable txt3 contains "What a verynice day".
To add a space between the two strings, insert a space into one of the strings:
txt1="What a very ";
txt2="nice day";
txt3=txt1+txt2;
or insert a space into the expression:
txt1="What a very";
txt2="nice day";
txt3=txt1+" "+txt2;
After the execution of the statements above, the variable txt3 contains:
"What a very nice day"
Adding Strings and Numbers
The rule is: If you add a number and a string, the result will be a string!
Example
x=5+5;
document.write(x);
x="5"+"5";
document.write(x);
x=5+"5";
document.write(x);
x="5"+5;
document.write(x);
Here is some example code followed by the result:
< script type="text/javascript">
var x;
x=5+5;
document.write(x);
document.write("< br />");
x="5"+"5";
document.write(x);
document.write("< br />");
x=5+"5";
document.write(x);
document.write(" < br />");
x="5"+5;
document.write(x);
document.write("
");
< /script>
< p>The rule is: If you add a number and a string, the result will be a string.< /p>
< /body>
The Result:
10
55
55
55
The rule is: If you add a number and a string, the result will be a string.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_comparisons.asp
JavaScript Comparison and Logical Operators
Comparison and Logical operators are used to test for true or false.
Comparison Operators
Comparison operators are used in logical statements to determine equality or difference between variables or values.
Given that x=5, the table below explains the comparison operators:
Operator | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
== | is equal to | x==8 is false x==5 is true |
=== | is exactly equal to (value and type) | x===5 is true x==="5" is false |
!= | is not equal | x!=8 is true |
> | is greater than | x>8 is false |
< | is less than | x<8 is true |
>= | is greater than or equal to | x>=8 is false |
<= | is less than or equal to | x<=8 is true |
How Can it be Used
Comparison operators can be used in conditional statements to compare values and take action depending on the result:
if (age< 18) document.write("Too young");
You will learn more about the use of conditional statements in the next chapter of this tutorial.
Logical Operators
Logical operators are used to determine the logic between variables or values.
Given that x=6 and y=3, the table below explains the logical operators:
Operator | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
&& | and | (x < 10 && y > 1) is true |
|| | or | (x==5 || y==5) is false |
! | not | !(x==y) is true |
Conditional Operator
JavaScript also contains a conditional operator that assigns a value to a variable based on some condition.
Syntax
variablename=(condition)?value1:value2
Example:
greeting=(visitor=="PRES")?"Dear President ":"Dear ";
If the variable visitor has the value of "PRES", then the variable greeting will be assigned the value "Dear President " else it will be assigned "Dear".
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_if_else.asp
Conditional Statements
Conditional statements are used to perform different actions based on different conditions.
Very often when you write code, you want to perform different actions for different decisions. You can use conditional statements in your code to do this.
In JavaScript we have the following conditional statements:
• if statement - use this statement to execute some code only if a specified condition is true
• if...else statement - use this statement to execute some code if the condition is true and another code if the condition is false
• if...else if....else statement - use this statement to select one of many blocks of code to be executed
• switch statement - use this statement to select one of many blocks of code to be executed
If Statement
Use the if statement to execute some code only if a specified condition is true.
Syntax:
if (condition)
{
code to be executed if condition is true
}
Note that if is written in lowercase letters. Using uppercase letters (IF) will generate a JavaScript error!
Example:
< script type="text/javascript">
//Write a "Good morning" greeting if
//the time is less than 10
var d=new Date();
var time=d.getHours();
if (time< 10)
{
document.write("< b>Good morning< /b>");
}
< /script>
Notice that there is no ..else.. in this syntax. You tell the browser to execute some code only if the specified condition is true.
If...else Statement
Use the if....else statement to execute some code if a condition is true and another code if the condition is not true.
Syntax:
if (condition)
{
code to be executed if condition is true
}
else
{
code to be executed if condition is not true
}
Example:
< script type="text/javascript">
//If the time is less than 10, you will get a "Good morning" greeting.
//Otherwise you will get a "Good day" greeting.
var d = new Date();
var time = d.getHours();
if (time < 10)
{
document.write("Good morning!");
}
else
{
document.write("Good day!");
}
< /script>
If...else if...else Statement
Use the if....else if...else statement to select one of several blocks of code to be executed.
Syntax:
if (condition1)
{
code to be executed if condition1 is true
}
else if (condition2)
{
code to be executed if condition2 is true
}
else
{
code to be executed if neither condition1 nor condition2 is true
}
Example
< script type="text/javascript">
var d = new Date()
var time = d.getHours()
if (time< 10)
{
document.write("< b>Good morning< /b>");
}
else if (time>=10 && time< 16)
{
}
else
{
document.write("< b>Hello World!< /b>");
}
< /script>
More Examples
Random linkThis example demonstrates a link, when you click on the link it will take you to W3Schools.com OR to RefsnesData.no. There is a 50% chance for each of them.
< body>
< script type=" text/javascript">
var r=Math.random();
if ( r>0.5)
{
document.write("< a href='http://www.w3schools.com'>Learn Web Development!< /a>");
}
else
{
document.write("< a href='http://www.refsnesdata.no'>Visit Refsnes Data!< /a>");
}
< /script>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_switch.asp
JavaScript Switch Statement
Conditional statements are used to perform different actions based on different conditions.
The JavaScript Switch Statement
Use the switch statement to select one of many blocks of code to be executed.
Syntax:
switch(n)
{
case 1:
execute code block 1
break;
case 2:
execute code block 2
break;
default:
code to be executed if n is different from case 1 and 2
}
This is how it works: First we have a single expression n (most often a variable), that is evaluated once. The value of the expression is then compared with the values for each case in the structure. If there is a match, the block of code associated with that case is executed. Use break to prevent the code from running into the next case automatically.
Example:
< script type="text/javascript">
//You will receive a different greeting based
//on what day it is. Note that Sunday=0,
//Monday=1, Tuesday=2, etc.
var d=new Date();
var theDay=d.getDay();
switch (theDay)
{
case 5:
document.write("Finally Friday");
break;
case 6:
document.write("Super Saturday");
break;
case 0:
document.write("Sleepy Sunday");
break;
default:
document.write("I'm looking forward to this weekend!");
}
< /script>
Example:
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var d=new Date();
var theDay=d.getDay();
switch (theDay)
{
case 5:
document.write("< b>Finally Friday< /b>");
break;
case 6:
document.write("< b>Super Saturday< /b>");
break;
case 0:
document.write("< b>Sleepy Sunday< /b>");
break;
default:
document.write("< b>I'm really looking forward to this weekend!< /b>");
}
< /script>
< p>This JavaScript will generate a different greeting based on what day it is. Note that Sunday=0, Monday=1, Tuesday=2, etc.< /p>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_popup.asp
JavaScript Popup Boxes
JavaScript has three kind of popup boxes: Alert box, Confirm box, and Prompt box.
Alert Box
An alert box is often used if you want to make sure information comes through to the user.
When an alert box pops up, the user will have to click "OK" to proceed.
Syntax:
alert("sometext");
Example:
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function show_alert()
{
alert("I am an alert box!");
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< input type="button" onclick="show_alert()" value="Show alert box" />
< /body>
Confirm Box
A confirm box is often used if you want the user to verify or accept something.
When a confirm box pops up, the user will have to click either "OK" or "Cancel" to proceed.
If the user clicks "OK", the box returns true. If the user clicks "Cancel", the box returns false.
Syntax
confirm("sometext");
Example:
< script type="text/javascript">
function show_confirm()
{
var r=confirm("Press a button");
if (r==true)
{
alert("You pressed OK!");
}
else
{
alert("You pressed Cancel!");
}
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< input type="button" onclick="show_confirm()" value="Show confirm box" />
< /body>
Prompt Box
A prompt box is often used if you want the user to input a value before entering a page.
When a prompt box pops up, the user will have to click either "OK" or "Cancel" to proceed after entering an input value.
If the user clicks "OK" the box returns the input value. If the user clicks "Cancel" the box returns null.
Syntax:
prompt("sometext","defaultvalue");
Example
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function show_prompt()
{
var name=prompt("Please enter your name","Harry Potter");
if (name!=null && name!="")
{
document.write("Hello " + name + "! How are you today?");
}
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< input type="button" onclick="show_prompt()" value="Show prompt box" />
< /body>
More Examples
Alert box with line breaks
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function disp_alert()
{
alert("Hello again! This is how we" + '\n' + "add line breaks to an alert box!");
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< input type="button" onclick="disp_alert()" value="Display alert box" />
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_functions.asp
JavaScript Functions
A function will be executed by an event or by a call to the function.
To keep the browser from executing a script when the page loads, you can put your script into a function.
A function contains code that will be executed by an event or by a call to the function.
You may call a function from anywhere within a page (or even from other pages if the function is embedded in an external .js file).
Functions can be defined both in the < head> and in the < body> section of a document.
However, to assure that a function is read/loaded by the browser before it is called, it could be wise to put functions in the < head> section.
How to Define a Function
Syntax
function functionname(var1,var2,...,varX)
{
some code
}
The parameters var1, var2, etc. are variables or values passed into the function. The { and the } defines the start and end of the function.
Note: A function with no parameters must include the parentheses () after the function name.
Note: Do not forget about the importance of capitals in JavaScript! The word function must be written in lowercase letters, otherwise a JavaScript error occurs! Also note that you must call a function with the exact same capitals as in the function name.
JavaScript Function Example
Example:
< script type="text/javascript">
function displaymessage()
{
alert("Hello World!");
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< form>
< input type="button" value="Click me!" onclick="displaymessage()" />
< /form>
< /body>
If the line: alert("Hello world!!") in the example above had not been put within a function, it would have been executed as soon as the page was loaded. Now, the script is not executed before a user hits the input button. The function displaymessage() will be executed if the input button is clicked.
You will learn more about JavaScript events in the JS Events chapter.
The return Statement
The return statement is used to specify the value that is returned from the function.
So, functions that are going to return a value must use the return statement.
The example below returns the product of two numbers (a and b):
Example
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function product(a,b)
{
return a*b;
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write(product(4,3));
< /script>
< /body>
The Lifetime of JavaScript Variables
If you declare a variable, using "var", within a function, the variable can only be accessed within that function. When you exit the function, the variable is destroyed. These variables are called local variables. You can have local variables with the same name in different functions, because each is recognized only by the function in which it is declared.
If you declare a variable outside a function, all the functions on your page can access it. The lifetime of these variables starts when they are declared, and ends when the page is closed.
More Examples
Function with a parameter
How to pass a variable to a function, and use the variable in the function.
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function myfunction(txt)
{
alert(txt);
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< form>
< input type="button" onclick="myfunction('Hello')" value="Call function">
< /form>
< p>By pressing the button above, a function will be called with "Hello" as a parameter. The function will alert the parameter.< /p>
< /body>
Function that returns a value
How to let a function return a value.
< script type="text/javascript">
function myFunction()
{
return ("Hello world!");
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write(myFunction())
< /script>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_loop_for.asp
JavaScript For Loop
Loops execute a block of code a specified number of times, or while a specified condition is true.
JavaScript Loops
Often when you write code, you want the same block of code to run over and over again in a row. Instead of adding several almost equal lines in a script we can use loops to perform a task like this.
In JavaScript, there are two different kind of loops:
• for - loops through a block of code a specified number of times
• while - loops through a block of code while a specified condition is true
The for Loop
The for loop is used when you know in advance how many times the script should run.
Syntax:
for (variable=startvalue;variable<=endvalue;variable=variable+increment)
{
code to be executed
}
Example:
The example below defines a loop that starts with i=0. The loop will continue to run as long as i is less than, or equal to 5. i will increase by 1 each time the loop runs.
Note: The increment parameter could also be negative, and the <= could be any comparing statement.
Example
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var i=0;
for (i=0;i<=5;i++)
{
document.write("The number is " + i);
document.write("< br />");
}
< /script>
< /body>
The while loop
The while loop will be explained in the next chapter.
More Examples
lynnemacfarlane@bigpond.com
Looping through HTML headings
Loop through the six different HTML headings.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
for (i = 1; i <= 6; i++)
{
document.write("< h" + i + ">This is heading " + i);
document.write("< /h" + i + ">");
}
< /script>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_loop_while.asp
JavaScript While Loop
Loops execute a block of code a specified number of times, or while a specified condition is true.
The while Loop
The while loop loops through a block of code while a specified condition is true.
Syntax
while (variable<=endvalue)
{
code to be executed
}
Note: The <= could be any comparing operator.
Example
The example below defines a loop that starts with i=0. The loop will continue to run as long as i is less than, or equal to 5. i will increase by 1 each time the loop runs:
Example
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var i=0;
while (i<=5)
{
document.write("The number is " + i);
document.write("< br />");
i++;
}
< /script>
< /body>
The do...while Loop
The do...while loop is a variant of the while loop. This loop will execute the block of code ONCE, and then it will repeat the loop as long as the specified condition is true.
Syntax
do
{
code to be executed
}
while (variable<=endvalue);
Example
The example below uses a do...while loop. The do...while loop will always be executed at least once, even if the condition is false, because the statements are executed before the condition is tested:
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var i=0;
do
{
document.write("The number is " + i);
document.write("< br />");
i++;
}
while (i<=5);
< /script>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_break.asp
JavaScript Break and Continue Statements
The break Statement
The break statement will break the loop and continue executing the code that follows after the loop (if any).
Example:
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var i=0;
for (i=0;i<=10;i++)
{
if (i==3)
{
break;
}
document.write("The number is " + i);
document.write("< br />");
}
< /script>
< /body>
The continue Statement
The continue statement will break the current loop and continue with the next value.
Example:
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var i=0
for (i=0;i<=10;i++)
{
if (i==3)
{
continue;
}
document.write("The number is " + i);
document.write("< br />");
}
< /script>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_loop_for_in.asp
JavaScript For...In Statement
The for...in statement loops through the properties of an object.
Syntax
for (variable in object)
{
code to be executed
}
Note: The code in the body of the for...in loop is executed once for each property.
Example
Looping through the properties of an object:
var person={fname:"John",lname:"Doe",age:25};
for (x in person)
{
document.write(person[x] + " ");
}
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_events.asp
JavaScript Events
Events are actions that can be detected by JavaScript.
Acting to an Event
The example below displays the date when a button is clicked:
Example
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function displayDate()
{
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=Date();
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< h1>My First Web Page< /h1>
< p id="demo">< /p>
< button type="button" onclick="displayDate()">Display Date< /button>
< /body>
Events
By using JavaScript, we have the ability to create dynamic web pages. Events are actions that can be detected by JavaScript.
Every element on a web page has certain events which can trigger a JavaScript. For example, we can use the onClick event of a button element to indicate that a function will run when a user clicks on the button. We define the events in the HTML tags.
Examples of events:
• A mouse click
• A web page or an image loading
• Mousing over a hot spot on the web page
• Selecting an input field in an HTML form
• Submitting an HTML form
• A keystroke
Note: Events are normally used in combination with functions, and the function will not be executed before the event occurs!
For a complete reference of the events recognized by JavaScript, go to our complete Event reference.
onLoad and onUnload
The onLoad and onUnload events are triggered when the user enters or leaves the page.
The onLoad event is often used to check the visitor's browser type and browser version, and load the proper version of the web page based on the information.
Both the onLoad and onUnload events are also often used to deal with cookies that should be set when a user enters or leaves a page. For example, you could have a popup asking for the user's name upon his first arrival to your page.
The name is then stored in a cookie. Next time the visitor arrives at your page, you could have another popup saying something like: "Welcome John Doe!".
onFocus, onBlur and onChange
The onFocus, onBlur and onChange events are often used in combination with validation of form fields.
Below is an example of how to use the onChange event. The checkEmail() function will be called whenever the user changes the content of the field:
< input type="text" size="30" id="email" onchange="checkEmail()">
onSubmit
The onSubmit event is used to validate ALL form fields before submitting it.
Below is an example of how to use the onSubmit event. The checkForm() function will be called when the user clicks the submit button in the form. If the field values are not accepted, the submit should be cancelled. The function checkForm() returns either true or false. If it returns true the form will be submitted, otherwise the submit will be cancelled:
< form method="post" action="xxx.htm" onsubmit="return checkForm()">
onMouseOver
The onmouseover event can be used to trigger a function when the user mouses over an HTML element (link):
Example
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function writeText(txt)
{
document.getElementById("desc").innerHTML=txt;
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< img src ="planets.gif" width ="145" height ="126" alt="Planets" usemap="#planetmap" />
< map name="planetmap">
< area shape ="rect" coords ="0,0,82,126"
onmouseover="writeText('The Sun and the gas giant planets like Jupiter are by far the largest objects in our Solar System.')"
href ="sun.htm" target ="_blank" alt="Sun" />
< area shape ="circle" coords ="90,58,3"
onmouseover="writeText('The planet Mercury is very difficult to study from the Earth because it is always so close to the Sun.')"
href ="mercur.htm" target ="_blank" alt="Mercury" />
< area shape ="circle" coords ="124,58,8"
onmouseover="writeText('Until the 1960s, Venus was often considered a twin sister to the Earth because Venus is the nearest planet to us, and because the two planets seem to share many characteristics.')"
href ="venus.htm" target ="_blank" alt="Venus" />
< /map>
< p id="desc">Mouse over the sun and the planets and see the different descriptions.< /p>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_try_catch.asp
JavaScript Try...Catch Statement
The try...catch statement allows you to test a block of code for errors.
JavaScript - Catching Errors
When browsing Web pages on the internet, we all have seen a JavaScript alert box telling us there is a runtime error and asking "Do you wish to debug?". Error message like this may be useful for developers but not for users. When users see errors, they often leave the Web page.
This chapter will teach you how to catch and handle JavaScript error messages, so you don't lose your audience.
The try...catch Statement
The try...catch statement allows you to test a block of code for errors. The try block contains the code to be run, and the catch block contains the code to be executed if an error occurs.
Syntax
try
{
//Run some code here
}
catch(err)
{
//Handle errors here
}
Note that try...catch is written in lowercase letters. Using uppercase letters will generate a JavaScript error!
Examples
The example below is supposed to alert "Welcome guest!" when the button is clicked. However, there's a typo in the message() function. alert() is misspelled as adddlert(). A JavaScript error occurs. The catch block catches the error and executes a custom code to handle it. The code displays a custom error message informing the user what happened:
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
var txt="";
function message()
{
try
{
adddlert("Welcome guest!");
}
catch(err)
{
txt="There was an error on this page.\n\n";
txt+="Error description: " + err.description + "\n\n";
txt+="Click OK to continue.\n\n";
alert(txt);
}
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< input type="button" value="View message" onclick="message()" />
< /body>
The next example uses a confirm box to display a custom message telling users they can click OK to continue viewing the page or click Cancel to go to the homepage. If the confirm method returns false, the user clicked Cancel, and the code redirects the user. If the confirm method returns true, the code does nothing:
< head>< script type="text/javascript">
var txt="";
function message()
{
try
{
adddlert("Welcome guest!");
}
catch(err)
{
txt="There was an error on this page.\n\n";
txt+="Click OK to continue viewing this page,\n";
txt+="or Cancel to return to the home page.\n\n";
if(!confirm(txt))
{
document.location.href="http://www.w3schools.com/";
}
}
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< input type="button" value="View message" onclick="message()" />
< /body>
The throw Statement
The throw statement can be used together with the try...catch statement, to create an exception for the error. Learn about the throw statement in the next chapter.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_throw.asp
JavaScript Throw Statement
The throw statement allows you to create an exception.
The Throw Statement
The throw statement allows you to create an exception. If you use this statement together with the try...catch statement, you can control program flow and generate accurate error messages.
Syntax
throw exception
The exception can be a string, integer, Boolean or an object.
Note that throw is written in lowercase letters. Using uppercase letters will generate a JavaScript error!
Example
The example below determines the value of a variable called x. If the value of x is higher than 10, lower than 0, or not a number, we are going to throw an error. The error is then caught by the catch argument and the proper error message is displayed:
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var x=prompt("Enter a number between 0 and 10:","");
try
{
if(x>10)
{
throw "Err1";
}
else if(x< 0)
{
throw "Err2";
}
else if(isNaN(x))
{
throw "Err3";
}
}
catch(er)
{
if(er=="Err1")
{
alert("Error! The value is too high");
}
if(er=="Err2")
{
alert("Error! The value is too low");
}
if(er=="Err3")
{
alert( " Error! The value is not a number");
}
}
< /script>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_special_characters.asp
JavaScript Special Characters
In JavaScript you can add special characters to a text string by using the backslash sign.
Insert Special Characters
The backslash (\) is used to insert apostrophes, new lines, quotes, and other special characters into a text string.
Look at the following JavaScript code:
var txt="We are the so-called "Vikings" from the north.";
document.write(txt);
In JavaScript, a string is started and stopped with either single or double quotes. This means that the string above will be chopped to: We are the so-called
To solve this problem, you must place a backslash (\) before each double quote in "Viking". This turns each double quote into a string literal:
var txt="We are the so-called \"Vikings\" from the north.";
document.write(txt);
JavaScript will now output the proper text string: We are the so-called "Vikings" from the north.
The table below lists other special characters that can be added to a text string with the backslash sign:
Code | Outputs |
---|---|
\' | single quote |
\" | double quote |
\\ | backslash |
\n | new line |
\r | carriage return |
\t | tab |
\b | backspace |
\f | form feed |
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_guidelines.asp
JavaScript Guidelines
Some other important things to know when scripting with JavaScript.
JavaScript is Case Sensitive
A function named "myfunction" is not the same as "myFunction" and a variable named "myVar" is not the same as "myvar".
JavaScript is case sensitive - therefore watch your capitalization closely when you create or call variables, objects and functions.
White Space
JavaScript ignores extra spaces. You can add white space to your script to make it more readable. The following lines are equivalent:
var name="Hege";
var name = "Hege";
Break up a Code Line
You can break up a code line within a text string with a backslash. The example below will be displayed properly:
document.write("Hello \
World!");
However, you cannot break up a code line like this:
document.write \
("Hello World!");
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_intro.asp
JavaScript Objects Introduction
JavaScript is an Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language.
An OOP language allows you to define your own objects and make your own variable types.
Object Oriented Programming
JavaScript is an Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language. An OOP language allows you to define your own objects and make your own variable types.
However, creating your own objects will be explained later, in the Advanced JavaScript section. We will start by looking at the built-in JavaScript objects, and how they are used. The next pages will explain each built-in JavaScript object in detail.
Note that an object is just a special kind of data. An object has properties and methods.
Properties
Properties are the values associated with an object.
In the following example we are using the length property of the String object to return the number of characters in a string:
< script type="text/javascript">
var txt="Hello World!";
document.write(txt.length);
< /script>
The output of the code above will be:
12
Methods
Methods are the actions that can be performed on objects.
In the following example we are using the toUpperCase() method of the String object to display a text in uppercase letters:
< script type="text/javascript">
var str="Hello world!";
document.write(str.toUpperCase());
< /script>
The output of the code above will be:
HELLO WORLD!
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_string.asp
JavaScript String Object
The String object is used to manipulate a stored piece of text.
Try it Yourself - Examples
Return the length of a string
How to return the length of a string.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var txt = "Hello World!";
document.write(txt.length);
< /script>
< /body>
Style strings
How to style strings.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var txt = "Hello World!";
document.write("< p>Big: " + txt.big() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Small: " + txt.small() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Bold: " + txt.bold() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Italic: " + txt.italics() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Fixed: " + txt.fixed() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Strike: " + txt.strike() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Fontcolor: " + txt.fontcolor("green") + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Fontsize: " + txt.fontsize(6) + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Subscript: " + txt.sub() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Superscript: " + txt.sup() + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Link: " + txt.link("http://www.w3schools.com") + "< /p>");
document.write("< p>Blink: " + txt.blink() + " (does not work in IE, Chrome, or Safari)< /p>");
< /script>
< /body>
The toLowerCase() and toUpperCase() methods
How to convert a string to lowercase or uppercase letters.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var txt="Hello World!";
document.write(txt.toLowerCase() + "< br />");
document.write(txt.toUpperCase());
< /script>
< /body>
The match() method
How to search for a specified value within a string.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var str="Hello world!";
document.write(str.match("world") + "< br />");
document.write(str.match("World") + "< br />");
document.write(str.match("worlld") + "< br />");
document.write(str.match("world!"));
< /script>
< /body>
Replace characters in a string - replace()
How to replace a specified value with another value in a string.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var str="Visit Microsoft!";
document.write(str.replace("Microsoft","W3Schools"));
< /script>
< /body>
The indexOf() method
How to return the position of the first found occurrence of a specified value in a string.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var str="Hello world!";
document.write(str.indexOf("d") + "< br />");
document.write(str.indexOf("WORLD") + "< br />");
document.write(str.indexOf("world"));
< /script>
< /body>
Complete String Object Reference
For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the String object, go to our complete String object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!
String object
The String object is used to manipulate a stored piece of text.
Examples of use:
The following example uses the length property of the String object to find the length of a string:
var txt="Hello world!";
document.write(txt.length);
The code above will result in the following output:
12
The following example uses the toUpperCase() method of the String object to convert a string to uppercase letters:
var txt="Hello world!";
document.write(txt.toUpperCase());
The code above will result in the following output:
HELLO WORLD!
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_date.asp
JavaScript Date Object
The Date object is used to work with dates and times.
Try it Yourself - Examples
Return today's date and time
How to use the Date() method to get today's date.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var d=new Date();
document.write(d);
< /script>
< /body>
getFullYear()
Use getFullYear() to get the year.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var d=new Date();
document.write(d.getFullYear());
< /script>
< /body>
getTime()
getTime() returns the number of milliseconds since 01.01.1970.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var d=new Date();
document.write(d.getTime() + " milliseconds since 1970/01/01");
< /script>
< /body>
setFullYear()
How to use setFullYear() to set a specific date.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var d = new Date();
d.setFullYear(1992,10,3);
document.write(d);
< /script>
< /body>
toUTCString()
How to use toUTCString() to convert today's date (according to UTC) to a string.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var d=new Date();
document.write("Original form: ");
document.write(d + "< br />");
document.write("To string (universal time): ");
document.write(d.toUTCString());
< /script>
< /body>
getDay()
Use getDay() and an array to write a weekday, and not just a number.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var d=new Date();
var weekday=new Array(7);
weekday[0]="Sunday";
weekday[1]="Monday";
weekday[2]="Tuesday";
weekday[3]="Wednesday";
weekday[4]="Thursday";
weekday[5]="Friday";
weekday[6]="Saturday";
document.write("Today is " + weekday[d.getDay()]);
< /script>
< /body>
Display a clock
How to display a clock on your web page.
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function startTime()
{
var today=new Date();
var h=today.getHours();
var m=today.getMinutes();
var s=today.getSeconds();
// add a zero in front of numbers< 10
m=checkTime(m);
s=checkTime(s);
document.getElementById('txt').innerHTML=h+":"+m+":"+s;
t=setTimeout('startTime()',500);
}
function checkTime(i)
{
if (i< 10)
{
i="0" + i;
}
return i;
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body onload="startTime()">
< div id="txt">< /div>
< /body>
Complete Date Object Reference
For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the Date object, go to our complete Date object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!
Create a Date Object
The Date object is used to work with dates and times.
Date objects are created with the Date() constructor.
There are four ways of instantiating a date:
new Date() // current date and time
new Date(milliseconds) //milliseconds since 1970/01/01
new Date(dateString)
new Date(year, month, day, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds)
Most parameters above are optional. Not specifying, causes 0 to be passed in.
Once a Date object is created, a number of methods allow you to operate on it. Most methods allow you to get and set the year, month, day, hour, minute, second, and milliseconds of the object, using either local time or UTC (universal, or GMT) time.
All dates are calculated in milliseconds from 01 January, 1970 00:00:00 Universal Time (UTC) with a day containing 86,400,000 milliseconds.
Some examples of instantiating a date:
var today = new Date()
var d1 = new Date("October 13, 1975 11:13:00")
var d2 = new Date(79,5,24)
var d3 = new Date(79,5,24,11,33,0)
Set Dates
We can easily manipulate the date by using the methods available for the Date object.
In the example below we set a Date object to a specific date (14th January 2010):
var myDate=new Date();
myDate.setFullYear(2010,0,14);
And in the following example we set a Date object to be 5 days into the future:
var myDate=new Date();
myDate.setDate(myDate.getDate()+5);
Note: If adding five days to a date shifts the month or year, the changes are handled automatically by the Date object itself!
Compare Two Dates
The Date object is also used to compare two dates.
The following example compares today's date with the 14th January 2100:
var x=new Date();
x.setFullYear(2100,0,14);
var today = new Date();
if (x>today)
{
alert("Today is before 14th January 2100");
}
else
{
alert("Today is after 14th January 2100");
}
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_array.asp
JavaScript Array Object
The Array object is used to store multiple values in a single variable.
Try it Yourself - Examples
Create an array
Create an array, assign values to it, and write the values to the output.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var i;
var mycars = new Array();
mycars[0] = "Saab";
mycars[1] = "Volvo";
mycars[2] = "BMW";
for (i=0;i< mycars.length;i++)
{
document.write(mycars[i] + "< br />");
}
< /script>
< / body>
What is an Array?
An array is a special variable, which can hold more than one value, at a time.
If you have a list of items (a list of car names, for example), storing the cars in single variables could look like this:
var car1="Saab";
var car2="Volvo";
var car3="BMW";
However, what if you want to loop through the cars and find a specific one? And what if you had not 3 cars, but 300?
The best solution here is to use an array!
An array can hold all your variable values under a single name. And you can access the values by referring to the array name.
Each element in the array has its own ID so that it can be easily accessed.
Create an Array
An array can be defined in three ways.
The following code creates an Array object called myCars:
1:
var myCars=new Array(); // regular array (add an optional integer
myCars[0]="Saab"; // argument to control array's size)
myCars[1]="Volvo";
myCars[2]="BMW";
2:
var myCars=new Array("Saab","Volvo","BMW"); // condensed array
3:
var myCars=["Saab","Volvo","BMW"]; // literal array
Note: If you specify numbers or true/false values inside the array then the variable type will be Number or Boolean, instead of String.
Access an Array
You can refer to a particular element in an array by referring to the name of the array and the index number. The index number starts at 0.
The following code line:
document.write(myCars[0]);
will result in the following output:
Saab
Modify Values in an Array
To modify a value in an existing array, just add a new value to the array with a specified index number:
myCars[0]="Opel";
Now, the following code line:
document.write(myCars[0]);
will result in the following output:
Opel
More Examples
Join two arrays - concat()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var parents = ["Jani", "Tove"];
var children = ["Cecilie", "Lone"];
var family = parents.concat(children);
document.write(family);
< /script>
< /body>
Join three arrays - concat()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var parents = ["Jani", "Tove"];
var brothers = ["Stale", "Kai Jim", "Borge"];
var children = ["Cecilie", "Lone"];
var family = parents.concat(brothers, children);
document.write(family);
< /script>
< /body>
Join all elements of an array into a string - join()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.join() + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.join("+") + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.join(" and "));
< /script>
< /body>
Remove the last element of an array - pop()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.pop() + "< br />");
document.write(fruits + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.pop() + "< br />");
document.write(fruits);
< /script>
< /body>
Add new elements to the end of an array - push()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.push("Kiwi") + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.push("Lemon","Pineapple") + "< br />");
document.write(fruits);
< /script>
< /body>
Reverse the order of the elements in an array - reverse()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.reverse());
< /script>
< /body>
Remove the first element of an array - shift()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.shift() + "< br />");
document.write(fruits + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.shift() + "< br />");
document.write(fruits);
< /script>
< /body>
Select elements from an array - slice()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.slice(0,1) + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.slice(1) + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.slice(-2) + "< br />");
document.write(fruits);
< /script>
< /body>
Sort an array (alphabetically and ascending) - sort()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.sort());
< /script>
< /body>
Sort numbers (numerically and ascending) - sort()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
function sortNumber(a, b)
{
return a - b;
}
var n = ["10", "5", "40", "25", "100", "1"];
document.write(n.sort(sortNumber));
< /script>
< /body>
Sort numbers (numerically and descending) - sort()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
function sortNumber(a, b)
{
return b - a;
}
var n = ["10", "5", "40", "25", "100", "1"];
document.write(n.sort(sortNumber));
< /script>
< /body>
Add an element to position 2 in an array - splice()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write("Added: " + fruits.splice(2,0,"Lemon") + "< br />");
document.write(fruits);
< /script>
< /body>
Convert an array to a string - toString()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.toString());
< /script>
< /body>
Add new elements to the beginning of an array - unshift()
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
document.write(fruits.unshift("Kiwi") + "< br />");
document.write(fruits.unshift("Lemon","Pineapple") + "< br />");
document.write(fruits);
< /script>
< p>< b>Note:< /b> The unshift() method does not work properly in Internet Explorer, it only returns undefined!< /p>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_boolean.asp
JavaScript Boolean Object
The Boolean object is used to convert a non-Boolean value to a Boolean value (true or false).
For a tutorial about the Boolean object, read our
JavaScript Boolean Object tutorial.
Try it Yourself - Examples
Check Boolean value
Check if a Boolean object is true or false.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var b1=new Boolean( 0);
var b2=new Boolean(1);
var b3=new Boolean("");
var b4=new Boolean(null);
var b5=new Boolean(NaN);
var b6=new Boolean("false");
document.write("0 is boolean "+ b1 +"< br />");
document.write("1 is boolean "+ b2 +"< br />");
document.write("An empty string is boolean "+ b3 + "< br />");
document.write("null is boolean "+ b4+ "< br />");
document.write("NaN is boolean "+ b5 +"< br />");
document.write("The string 'false' is boolean "+ b6 +"< br />");
< /script>
< /body>
Complete Boolean Object Reference
For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the Boolean object, go to our complete Boolean object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method! (here it is:)
Boolian Object Properties | |
---|---|
Property | Description |
constructor | Returns the function that created the Boolean object's prototype |
prototype | Allows you to add properties and methods to an object |
Boolean Object Methods | |
---|---|
Method | Description |
toString() | Converts a Boolean value to a string, and returns the result |
valueOf() | Returns the primitive value of a Boolean object |
Create a Boolean Object
The Boolean object represents two values: "true" or "false".
The following code creates a Boolean object called myBoolean:
var myBoolean=new Boolean();
If the Boolean object has no initial value, or if the passed value is one of the following:
• 0
• -0
• null
• ""
• false
• undefined
• NaN
the object it is set to false. For any other value it is set to true (even with the string "false")!
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_math.asp
JavaScript Math Object
The Math object allows you to perform mathematical tasks.
Try it Yourself - Examples
round()
How to use round().
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write(Math.round(0.60) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.round(0.50) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.round(0.49) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.round(-4.40) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.round(-4.60));
< /script>
< /body>
random()
How to use random() to return a random number between 0 and 1.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
//return a random number between 0 and 1
document.write(Math.random() + "< br />");
//return a random integer between 0 and 10
document.write(Math.floor(Math.random()*11));
< /script>
< /body>
max()
How to use max() to return the number with the highest value of two specified numbers.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write(Math.max(5,10) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.max(0,150,30,20,38) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.max(-5,10) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.max(-5,-10) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.max(1.5,2.5));
< /script>
< /body>
min()
How to use min() to return the number with the lowest value of two specified numbers.
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
document.write(Math.min(5,10) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.min(0,150,30,20,38) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.min(-5,10) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.min(-5,-10) + "< br />");
document.write(Math.min(1.5,2.5));
< /script>
< /body>
Complete Math Object Reference
For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the Math object, go to our complete Math object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!
(shown below:)
Math Object
The Math object allows you to perform mathematical tasks.
Math is not a constructor. All properties/methods of Math can be called by using Math as an object, without creating it.
Syntax
var x = Math.PI; // Returns PI
var y = Math.sqrt(16); // Returns the square root of 16
For a tutorial about the Math object, read our JavaScript Math Object tutorial.
Math Object Properties | |
---|---|
Property | Description |
E | Returns Euler's number (approx. 2.718) |
LN2 | Returns the natural logarithm of 2 (approx. 0.693) |
LN10 | Returns the natural logarithm of 10 (approx. 2.302) |
LOG2E | Returns the base-2 logarithm of E (approx. 1.442) |
LOG10E | Returns the base-10 logarithm of E (approx. 0.434) |
PI | Returns PI (approx. 3.14159) |
SQRT1_2 | Returns the square root of 1/2 (approx. 0.707) |
SQRT2 | Returns the square root of 2 (approx. 1.414) |
Math Object Methods | |
---|---|
Method | Description |
abs(x) | Returns the absolute value of x |
acos(x) | Returns the arccosine of x, in radians |
asin(x) | Returns the arcsine of x, in radians |
atan(x) | Returns the arctangent of x as a numeric value between -PI/2 and PI/2 radians |
atan2(y,x) | Returns the arctangent of the quotient of its arguments |
ceil(x) | Returns x, rounded upwards to the nearest integer |
cos(x) | Returns the cosine of x (x is in radians) |
exp(x) | Returns the value of Ex |
floor(x) | Returns x, rounded downwards to the nearest integer |
log(x) | Returns the natural logarithm (base E) of x |
max(x,y,z,...,n) | Returns the number with the highest value |
min(x,y,z,...,n) | Returns the number with the lowest value |
pow(x,y) | Returns the value of x to the power of y |
random() | Returns a random number between 0 and 1 |
round(x) | Rounds x to the nearest integer |
sin(x) | Returns the sine of x (x is in radians) |
sqrt(x) | Returns the square root of x |
tan(x) | Returns the tangent of an angle |
Math Object
The Math object allows you to perform mathematical tasks.
The Math object includes several mathematical constants and methods.
Syntax for using properties/methods of Math:
var x=Math.PI;
var y=Math.sqrt(16);
Note: Math is not a constructor. All properties and methods of Math can be called by using Math as an object without creating it.
Mathematical Constants
JavaScript provides eight mathematical constants that can be accessed from the Math object. These are: E, PI, square root of 2, square root of 1/2, natural log of 2, natural log of 10, base-2 log of E, and base-10 log of E.
You may reference these constants from your JavaScript like this:
Math.E
Math.PI
Math.SQRT2
Math.SQRT1_2
Math.LN2
Math.LN10
Math.LOG2E
Math.LOG10E
Mathematical Methods
In addition to the mathematical constants that can be accessed from the Math object there are also several methods available.
The following example uses the round() method of the Math object to round a number to the nearest integer:
document.write(Math.round(4.7));
The code above will result in the following output:
5
The following example uses the random() method of the Math object to return a random number between 0 and 1:
document.write(Math.random());
The code above can result in the following output:
0.8791999456007034
The following example uses the floor() and random() methods of the Math object to return a random number between 0 and 10:
document.write(Math.floor(Math.random()*11));
The code above can result in the following output:
5
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_obj_regexp.asp
JavaScript RegExp Object
RegExp, is short for regular expression.
Complete RegExp Object Reference
For a complete reference of all the properties and methods that can be used with the RegExp object, go to our complete RegExp object reference.
The reference contains a brief description and examples of use for each property and method!
(see below:)
RegExp Object
A regular expression is an object that describes a pattern of characters.
Regular expressions are used to perform pattern-matching and "search-and-replace" functions on text.
Syntax
var patt=new RegExp(pattern,modifiers);
or more simply:
var patt=/pattern/modifiers;
• pattern specifies the pattern of an expression
• modifiers specify if a search should be global, case-sensitive, etc.
For a tutorial about the RegExp object, read our JavaScript RegExp Object tutorial.
Modifiers
Modifiers are used to perform case-insensitive and global searches:
Modifier | Description |
---|---|
i | Perform case-insensitive matching |
g | Perform a global match (find all matches rather than stopping after the first match) |
m | Perform multiline matching |
Brackets
Brackets are used to find a range of characters:
Expression | Description |
---|---|
[abc] | Find any character between the brackets |
[^abc] | Find any character not between the brackets |
[0-9] | Find any digit from 0 to 9 |
[A-Z] | Find any character from uppercase A to uppercase Z |
[a-z] | Find any character from lowercase a to lowercase z |
[A-z] | Find any character from uppercase A to lowercase z |
[adgk] | Find any character in the given set |
[^adgk] | Find any character outside the given set |
(red|blue|green) | Find any of the alternatives specified |
Metacharacters
Metacharacters are characters with a special meaning:
Metacharacter | Description |
---|---|
. | Find a single character, except newline or line terminator |
\w | Find a word character |
\W | Find a non-word character |
\d | Find a digit |
\D | Find a non-digit character |
\s | Find a whitespace character |
\S | Find a non-whitespace character |
\b | Find a match at the beginning/end of a word |
\B | Find a match not at the beginning/end of a word |
\0 | Find a NUL character |
\n | Find a new line character |
\f | Find a form feed character |
\r | Find a carriage return character |
\t | Find a tab character |
\v | Find a vertical tab character |
\xxx | Find the character specified by an octal number xxx |
\xdd | Find the character specified by a hexadecimal number dd |
\uxxxx | Find the Unicode character specified by a hexadecimal number xxxx |
Quantifiers
Quantifier | Description |
---|---|
n+ | Matches any string that contains at least one n |
n* | Matches any string that contains zero or more occurrences of n |
n? | Matches any string that contains zero or one occurrences of n |
n{X} | Matches any string that contains a sequence of X n's |
n{X,Y} | Matches any string that contains a sequence of X to Y n's |
n{X,} | Matches any string that contains a sequence of at least X n's |
n$ | Matches any string with n at the end of it |
^n | Matches any string with n at the beginning of it |
?=n | Matches any string that is followed by a specific string n |
?!n | Matches any string that is not followed by a specific string n |
RegExp Object Properties
Property | Description |
---|---|
global | Specifies if the "g" modifier is set |
ignoreCase | Specifies if the "i" modifier is set |
lastIndex | The index at which to start the next match |
multiline | Specifies if the "m" modifier is set |
source | The text of the RegExp pattern |
RegExp Object Methods
Method | Description |
---|---|
compile() | Compiles a regular expression |
exec() | Tests for a match in a string. Returns the first match |
test() | Tests for a match in a string. Returns true or false |
What is RegExp?
A regular expression is an object that describes a pattern of characters.
When you search in a text, you can use a pattern to describe what you are searching for.
A simple pattern can be one single character.
A more complicated pattern can consist of more characters, and can be used for parsing, format checking, substitution and more.
Regular expressions are used to perform powerful pattern-matching and "search-and-replace" functions on text.
Syntax
var patt=new RegExp(pattern,modifiers);
or more simply:
var patt=/pattern/modifiers;
• pattern specifies the pattern of an expression
• modifiers specify if a search should be global, case-sensitive, etc.
RegExp Modifiers
Modifiers are used to perform case-insensitive and global searches.
The i modifier is used to perform case-insensitive matching.
The g modifier is used to perform a global match (find all matches rather than stopping after the first match).
Example 1
Do a case-insensitive search for "w3schools" in a string:
var str="Visit W3Schools";
var patt1=/w3schools/i;
The marked text below shows where the expression gets a match:
Visit W3Schools
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var str = "Visit W3Schools";
var patt1 = /w3schools/i;
document.write(str.match(patt1));
< /script>
< /body>
Example 2
Do a global search for "is":
var str="Is this all there is?";
var patt1=/is/g;
The marked text below shows where the expression gets a match:
Is this all there is?
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var str="Is this all there is?";
var patt1=/is/g;
document.write(str.match(patt1));
< /script>
< /body>
Example 3
Do a global, case-insensitive search for "is":
var str="Is this all there is?";
var patt1=/is/gi;
The marked text below shows where the expression gets a match:
Is this all there is?
test()
The test() method searches a string for a specified value, and returns true or false, depending on the result.
The following example searches a string for the character "e":
Example
var patt1=new RegExp("e");
document.write(patt1.test("The best things in life are free"));
Since there is an "e" in the string, the output of the code above will be:
true
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var patt1=new RegExp("e");
document.write(patt1.test("The best things in life are free"));
< /script>
< /body>
exec()
The exec() method searches a string for a specified value, and returns the text of the found value. If no match is found, it returns null.
The following example searches a string for the character "e":
Example 1
var patt1=new RegExp("e");
document.write(patt1.exec("The best things in life are free"));
Since there is an "e" in the string, the output of the code above will be:
e
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
var patt1=new RegExp("e");
document.write(patt1.exec("The best things in life are free"));
< /script>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_browser.asp
JavaScript Browser Detection
The Navigator object contains information about the visitor's browser.
Browser Detection
Almost everything in this tutorial works on all JavaScript-enabled browsers. However, there are some things that just don't work on certain browsers - especially on older browsers.
Sometimes it can be useful to detect the visitor's browser, and then serve the appropriate information.
The Navigator object contains information about the visitor's browser name, version, and more.
Note: There is no public standard that applies to the navigator object, but all major browsers support it.
The Navigator Object
The Navigator object contains all information about the visitor's browser:
Example
< div id="example">< /div>
< script type="text/javascript">
txt = "< p>Browser CodeName: " + navigator.appCodeName + "< /p>";
txt+= "< p>Browser Name: " + navigator.appName + "< /p>";
txt+= "< p>Browser Version: " + navigator.appVersion + "< /p>";
txt+= "< p>Cookies Enabled: " + navigator.cookieEnabled + "< /p>";
txt+= "< p>Platform: " + navigator.platform + "< /p>";
txt+= "< p>User-agent header: " + navigator.userAgent + "< /p>";
document.getElementById("example").innerHTML=txt;
< /script>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_cookies.asp
JavaScript Cookies
A cookie is often used to identify a user.
What is a Cookie?
A cookie is a variable that is stored on the visitor's computer. Each time the same computer requests a page with a browser, it will send the cookie too. With JavaScript, you can both create and retrieve cookie values.
Examples of cookies:
• Name cookie - The first time a visitor arrives to your web page, he or she must fill in her/his name. The name is then stored in a cookie. Next time the visitor arrives at your page, he or she could get a welcome message like "Welcome John Doe!" The name is retrieved from the stored cookie
• Password cookie - The first time a visitor arrives to your web page, he or she must fill in a password. The password is then stored in a cookie. Next time the visitor arrives at your page, the password is retrieved from the cookie
• Date cookie - The first time a visitor arrives to your web page, the current date is stored in a cookie. Next time the visitor arrives at your page, he or she could get a message like "Your last visit was on Tuesday August 11, 2005!" The date is retrieved from the stored cookie
Create and Store a Cookie
In this example we will create a cookie that stores the name of a visitor. The first time a visitor arrives to the web page, he or she will be asked to fill in her/his name. The name is then stored in a cookie. The next time the visitor arrives at the same page, he or she will get welcome message.
First, we create a function that stores the name of the visitor in a cookie variable:
function setCookie(c_name,value,exdays)
{
var exdate=new Date();
exdate.setDate(exdate.getDate() + exdays);
var c_value=escape(value) + ((exdays==null) ? "" : "; expires="+exdate.toUTCString());
document.cookie=c_name + "=" + c_value;
}
The parameters of the function above hold the name of the cookie, the value of the cookie, and the number of days until the cookie expires.
In the function above we first convert the number of days to a valid date, then we add the number of days until the cookie should expire. After that we store the cookie name, cookie value and the expiration date in the document.cookie object.
Then, we create another function that returns a specified cookie:
function getCookie(c_name)
{
var i,x,y,ARRcookies=document.cookie.split(";");
for (i=0;i< ARRcookies.length;i++)
{
x=ARRcookies[i].substr(0,ARRcookies[i].indexOf("="));
y=ARRcookies[i].substr(ARRcookies[i].indexOf("=")+1);
x=x.replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g,"");
if (x==c_name)
{
return unescape(y);
}
}
}
The function above makes an array to retrieve cookie names and values, then it checks if the specified cookie exists, and returns the cookie value.
Last, we create the function that displays a welcome message if the cookie is set, and if the cookie is not set it will display a prompt box, asking for the name of the user, and stores the username cookie for 365 days, by calling the setCookie function:
function checkCookie()
{
var username=getCookie("username");
if (username!=null && username!="")
{
alert("Welcome again " + username);
}
else
{
username=prompt("Please enter your name:","");
if (username!=null && username!="")
{
setCookie("username",username,365);
}
}
}
All together now:
Example
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function getCookie(c_name)
{
var i,x,y,ARRcookies=document.cookie.split(";");
for (i=0;i< ARRcookies.length;i++)
{
x=ARRcookies[i].substr(0,ARRcookies[i].indexOf("="));
y=ARRcookies[i].substr(ARRcookies[i].indexOf("=")+1);
x=x.replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g,"");
if (x==c_name)
{
return unescape(y);
}
}
}
function setCookie(c_name,value,exdays)
{
var exdate=new Date();
exdate.setDate(exdate.getDate() + exdays);
var c_value=escape(value) + ((exdays==null) ? "" : "; expires="+exdate.toUTCString());
document.cookie=c_name + "=" + c_value;
}
function checkCookie()
{
var username=getCookie("username");
if (username!=null && username!="")
{
alert("Welcome again " + username);
}
else
{
username=prompt("Please enter your name:","");
if (username!=null && username!="")
{
setCookie("username",username,365);
}
}
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body onload="checkCookie()">
< /body>
The example above runs the checkCookie() function when the page loads.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_form_validation.asp
JavaScript Form Validation
JavaScript Form Validation
JavaScript can be used to validate data in HTML forms before sending off the content to a server.
Form data that typically are checked by a JavaScript could be:
• has the user left required fields empty?
• has the user entered a valid e-mail address?
• has the user entered a valid date?
• has the user entered text in a numeric field?
Required Fields
The function below checks if a field has been left empty. If the field is blank, an alert box alerts a message, the function returns false, and the form will not be submitted:
function validateForm()
{
var x=document.forms["myForm"]["fname"].value;
if (x==null || x=="")
{
alert("First name must be filled out");
return false;
}
}
The function above could be called when a form is submitted:
Example
< form name="myForm" action="demo_form.asp" onsubmit="return validateForm()" method="post">
First name: < input type="text" name="fname">
< input type="submit" value="Submit">
< /form>
E-mail Validation
The function below checks if the content has the general syntax of an email.
This means that the input data must contain an @ sign and at least one dot (.). Also, the @ must not be the first character of the email address, and the last dot must be present after the @ sign, and minimum 2 characters before the end:
function validateForm()
{
var x=document.forms["myForm"]["email"].value;
var atpos=x.indexOf("@");
var dotpos=x.lastIndexOf(".");
if (atpos< 1 || dotpos< atpos+2 || dotpos+2>=x.length)
{
alert("Not a valid e-mail address");
return false;
}
}
The function above could be called when a form is submitted:
Example
< form name="myForm" action="demo_form.asp" onsubmit="return validateForm();" method="post">
Email: < input type="text" name="email">
< input type="submit" value="Submit">
< /form>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_timing.asp
JavaScript Timing Events
1 |
JavaScript can be executed in time-intervals. This is called timing events. |
JavaScript Timing Events
With JavaScript, it is possible to execute some code after a specified time-interval. This is called timing events.
It's very easy to time events in JavaScript. The two key methods that are used are:
• setTimeout() - executes a code some time in the future
• clearTimeout() - cancels the setTimeout()
Note: The setTimeout() and clearTimeout() are both methods of the HTML DOM Window object.
The setTimeout() Method
Syntax
var t=setTimeout("javascript statement",milliseconds);
The setTimeout() method returns a value. In the syntax defined above, the value is stored in a variable called t. If you want to cancel the setTimeout() function, you can refer to it using the variable name.
The first parameter of setTimeout() can be a string of executable code, or a call to a function.
The second parameter indicates how many milliseconds from now you want to execute the first parameter.
Note: There are 1000 milliseconds in one second.
Example
When the button is clicked in the example below, an alert box will be displayed after 3 seconds.
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function timeMsg()
{
var t=setTimeout("alertMsg()",3000);
}
function alertMsg()
{
alert("Hello");
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< form>
< input type="button" value="Display alert box in 3 seconds"
onclick="timeMsg()" />
< /form>
< /body>
Example - Infinite Loop
To get a timer to work in an infinite loop, we must write a function that calls itself.
In the example below, when a button is clicked, the input field will start to count (for ever), starting at 0.
Notice that we also have a function that checks if the timer is already running, to avoid creating additional timers, if the button is pressed more than once:
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
var c=0;
var t;
var timer_i
s_on=0;
function timedCount()
{
document.getElementById('txt').value=c;
c=c+1;
t=setTimeout("timedCount()",1000);
}
function doTimer()
{
if (!timer_is_on)
{
timer_is_on=1;
timedCount();
}
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< form>
< input type="button" value="Start count!" onclick="doTimer()">
< input type="text" id="txt" />
< /form>
< /body>
The clearTimeout() Method
Syntax
clearTimeout(setTimeout_variable)
Example
The example below is the same as the "Infinite Loop" example above. The only difference is that we have now added a "Stop Count!" button that stops the timer:
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
var c=0;
var t;
var timer_is_on=0;
function timedCount()
{
document.getElementById('txt').value=c;
c=c+1;
t=setTimeout("timedCount()",1000);
}
function doTimer()
{
if (!timer_is_on)
{
timer_is_on=1;
timedCount();
}
}
function stopCount()
{
clearTimeout(t);
timer_is_on=0;
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< form>
< input type="button" value="Start count!" onclick="doTimer()">
< input type="text" id="txt">
< input type="button" value="Stop count!" onclick="stopCount()">
< /form>
< /body>
More Examples
Another simple timing
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function timedText()
{
var t1=setTimeout("document.getElementById('txt').value='2 seconds!'",2000);
var t2=setTimeout("document.getElementById('txt').value='4 seconds!'",4000);
var t3=setTimeout("document.getElementById('txt').value='6 seconds!'",6000);
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body>
< form>
< input type="button" value="Display timed text!" onclick="timedText()" />
< input type="text" id="txt" />
< /form>
< p>Click on the button above. The input field will tell you when two, four, and six seconds have passed.< /p>
< /body>
A clock created with a timing event
< head>
< script type="text/javascript">
function startTime()
{
var today=new Date();
var h=today.getHours();
var m=today.getMinutes();
var s=today.getSeconds();
// add a zero in front of numbers< 10
m=checkTime(m);
s=checkTime(s);
document.getElementById('txt').innerHTML=h+":"+m+":"+s;
t=setTimeout('startTime()',500);
}
function checkTime(i)
{
if ( i < 10)
{
i="0" + i;
}
return i;
}
< /script>
< /head>
< body onload="startTime()">
< div id="txt">< /div>
< /body>
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_objects.asp
JavaScript Create Your Own Objects
Objects are useful to organize information.
Try it Yourself - Examples
Create a direct instance of an object
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
personObj={firstname:"John",lastname:"Doe",age:50,eyecolor:"blue"}
document.write(personObj.firstname + " is " + personObj.age + " years old.");
< /script>
< /body>
Create a template for an object
< body>
< script type="text/javascript">
function person(firstname,lastname,age,eyecolor)
{
this.firstname=firstname;
this.lastname=lastname;
this.age=age;
this.eyecolor=eyecolor;
}
myFather=new person("John","Doe",50,"blue");
document.write(myFather.firstname + " is " + myFather.age + " years old.");
< /script>
< /body>
JavaScript Objects
Earlier in this tutorial we have seen that JavaScript has several built-in objects, like String, Date, Array, and more. In addition to these built-in objects, you can also create your own.
An object is just a special kind of data, with a collection of properties and methods.
Let's illustrate with an example: A person is an object. Properties are the values associated with the object. The persons' properties include name, height, weight, age, skin tone, eye color, etc. All persons have these properties, but the values of those properties will differ from person to person.
Objects also have methods. Methods are the actions that can be performed on objects. The persons' methods could be eat(), sleep(), work(), play(), etc.
Properties
The syntax for accessing a property of an object is:
objName.propName
You can add properties to an object by simply giving it a value. Assume that the personObj already exists - you can give it properties named firstname, lastname, age, and eyecolor as follows:
personObj.firstname="John";
personObj.lastname="Doe";
personObj.age=30;
personObj.eyecolor="blue";
document.write(personObj.firstname);
The code above will generate the following output:
John
Methods
An object can also contain methods.
You can call a method with the following syntax:
objName.methodName()
Note: Parameters required for the method can be passed between the parentheses.
To call a method called sleep() for the personObj:
personObj.sleep();
Creating Your Own Objects
There are different ways to create a new object:
1. Create a direct instance of an object
The following code creates an new instance of an object, and adds four properties to it:
personObj=new Object();
personObj.firstname="John";
personObj.lastname="Doe";
personObj.age=50;
personObj.eyecolor="blue";
alternative syntax (using object literals):
personObj={firstname:"John",lastname:"Doe",age:50,eyecolor:"blue"};
Adding a method to the personObj is also simple. The following code adds a method called eat() to the personObj:
personObj.eat=eat;
2. Create an object constructor
Create a function that construct objects:
function person(firstname,lastname,age,eyecolor)
{
this.firstname=firstname;
this.lastname=lastname;
this.age=age;
this.eyecolor=eyecolor;
}
Inside the function you need to assign things to this.propertyName. The reason for all the "this" stuff is that you're going to have more than one person at a time (which person you're dealing with must be clear). That's what "this" is: the instance of the object at hand.
Once you have the object constructor, you can create new instances of the object, like this:
var myFather=new person("John","Doe",50,"blue");
var myMother=new person("Sally","Rally",48,"green");
You can also add some methods to the person object. This is also done inside the function:
function person(firstname,lastname,age,eyecolor)
{
this.firstname=firstname;
this.lastname=lastname;
this.age=age;
this.eyecolor=eyecolor;
this.newlastname=newlastname;
}
Note that methods are just functions attached to objects. Then we will have to write the newlastname() function:
function newlastname(new_lastname)
{
this.lastname=new_lastname;
}
The newlastname() function defines the person's new last name and assigns that to the person.
JavaScript knows which person you're talking about by using "this.". So, now you can write:
myMother.newlastname("Doe").
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_summary.asp
You Have Learned JavaScript, Now What?
JavaScript Summary
This tutorial has taught you how to add JavaScript to your HTML pages, to make your web site more dynamic and interactive.
You have learned how to create responses to events, validate forms and how to make different scripts run in response to different scenarios.
You have also learned how to create and use objects, and how to use JavaScript's built-in objects.
For more information on JavaScript, please look at our JavaScript examples and our JavaScript reference (see below):
JavaScript Objects Reference
The references describe the properties and methods of each object, along with examples.
- Array object
- Boolean object
- Date object
- Math object
- Number object
- String object
- RegExp object
- Global properties and functions
Browser Objects Reference
The references describe the properties and methods of each object, along with examples.
HTML DOM Objects Reference
The references describe the properties and methods of each object, along with examples.
- Document object
- Event object
- HTMLElement object
- Anchor object
- Area object
- Base object
- Body object
- Button object
- Form object
- Frame/IFrame object
- Frameset object
- Image object
- Input Button object
- Input Checkbox object
- Input File object
- Input Hidden object
- Input Password object
- Input Radio object
- Input Reset object
- Input Submit object
- Input Text object
- Link object
- Meta object
- Object object
- Option object
- Select object
- Style object
- Table object
- td / th object
- tr object
- Textarea object
Now You Know JavaScript, What's Next?
The next step is to learn about the HTML DOM, jQuery, and AJAX.
If you want to learn about server-side scripting, the next step is to learn ASP or PHP.
HTML DOM
The HTML DOM defines a standard way for accessing and manipulating HTML documents.
The HTML DOM is platform and language independent and can be used by any programming language like Java, JavaScript, and VBScript.
If you want to learn more about the DOM, please visit our HTML DOM tutorial.
jQuery
jQuery is a JavaScript Library.
jQuery greatly simplifies JavaScript programming.
If you want to learn more about jQuery, please visit our jQuery tutorial.
AJAX
AJAX = Asynchronous JavaScript and XML.
AJAX is not a new programming language, but a new way to use existing standards.
AJAX is about exchanging data with a server, and update parts of a web page - without reloading the whole page.
Examples of applications using AJAX: Google Maps, Gmail, Youtube, and Facebook tabs.
If you want to learn more about AJAX, please visit our AJAX tutorial.
ASP / PHP
While scripts in an HTML file are executed on the client (in the browser), scripts in an ASP/PHP file are executed on the server.
With ASP/PHP you can dynamically edit, change or add any content of a Web page, respond to data submitted from HTML forms, access any data or databases and return the results to a browser, customize a Web page to make it more useful for individual users.
Since ASP/PHP files are returned as plain HTML, they can be viewed in any browser.
If you want to learn more about ASP, please visit our ASP tutorial.
If you want to learn more about PHP, please visit our PHP tutorial.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_examples.asp
JavaScript Examples
Basic JavaScript Examples
Write to the Document with JavaScript
Change HTML elements with JavaScript
An external JavaScript
Examples explained
JavaScript Statements, Comments and Blocks
JavaScript statements.
JavaScript blocks.
Single line comments.
Multiple lines comments.
Single line comment to prevent execution.
Multiple lines comment to prevent execution.
Examples explained
JavaScript Variables
Declare a variable, assign a value to it, and display it
Examples explained
JavaScript Conditional If ... Else
If statement
If...else statement
Random link
Switch statement
Examples explained
JavaScript Popup Boxes
Alert box
Alert box with line breaks
Confirm box
Prompt box
Examples explained
JavaScript Functions
Call a function
Function with an argument
Function with an argument 2
Function that returns a value
Function with arguments, that returns a value
Examples explained
JavaScript Loops
For loop
Looping through HTML headers
While loop
Do While loop
Break a loop
Break and continue a loop
Use a for...in statement to loop through the elements of an object
Examples explained
JavaScript Events
Acting to the onclick event
Acting to the onmouseover event
Examples explained
JavaScript Error Handling
The try...catch statement
The try...catch statement with a confirm box
The onerror event
Examples explained
Advanced JavaScript Examples
Create a welcome cookie
Simple timing
Another simple timing
Timing event in an infinite loop
Timing event in an infinite loop - with a Stop button
A clock created with a timing event
Create a direct instance of an object
Create an object constructor
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_ex_objects.asp
JavaScript Objects Examples
Examples of using the built-in JavaScript objects.
String Object
Return the length of a string
Style strings
Return the position of the first occurrence of a text in a string - indexOf()
Search for a text in a string and return the text if found - match()
Replace characters in a string - replace()
More String object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Date Object
Use Date() to return today's date and time
Use getTime() to calculate the years since 1970
Use setFullYear() to set a specific date
Use toUTCString() to convert today's date (according to UTC) to a string
Use getDay() and an array to write a weekday, and not just a number
Display a clock
More Date object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Array Object
Create an array
Join two arrays - concat()
Join three arrays - concat()
Join all elements of an array into a string - join()
Remove the last element of an array - pop()
Add new elements to the end of an array - push()
Reverse the order of the elements in an array - reverse()
Remove the first element of an array - shift()
Select elements from an array - slice()
Sort an array (alphabetically and ascending) - sort()
Sort numbers (numerically and ascending) - sort()
Sort numbers (numerically and descending) - sort()
Add an element to position 2 in an array - splice()
Convert an array to a string - toString()
Add new elements to the beginning of an array - unshift()
More Array object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Boolean Object
Check Boolean value
More Boolean object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Math Object
Use round() to round a number
Use random() to return a random number between 0 and 1
Use max() to return the number with the highest value of two specified numbers
Use min() to return the number with the lowest value of two specified numbers
Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit
General
Use a for...in statement to loop through the elements of an object
More Math object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_ex_browser.asp
JavaScript Browser Objects Examples
Examples of using JavaScript to access and manipulate the Browser objects.
Window Object
Display an alert box
Display an alert box with line-breaks
Display a confirm box, and alert what the visitor clicked
Display a prompt box
Create a pop-up window Open a new window when clicking on a button
Open a new window and control its appearance
Open multiple new windows
Assure that the new window does NOT get focus (send it to the background)
Assure that the new window GETS focus
Close the new window
Checks whether the new window has been closed or not
Return the name of the new window
Write some text to the source (parent) window
Move the new window relative to its current position
Move the new window to the specified position
Print the current page
Resize a window by the specified pixels
Resize a window to a specified size
Scroll the content by the specified number of pixels
Scroll the content to a specified position
A simple timing
Set and stop a timer with setTimeout() and clearTimeout()
Set and stop a timer with setInterval() and clearInterval()
More Window object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Navigator Object
All details about the visitor's browser
More Navigator object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Screen Object
All details about the visitor's screen
More Screen object examples in our JavaScript reference.
History Object
Return the number of URLs in the history list
Create a back button on a page
Create a forward button on a page
Load a specific URL from the history list
More History object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Location Object
Return the hostname and port of the current URL
Return the entire URL of the current page
Return the path name of the current URL
Return the protocol portion of the current URL
Load a new document
Reload the current document
Replace the current document
Break out of a frame
More Location object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_ex_dom.asp
JavaScript HTML DOM Examples
Examples of using JavaScript to access and manipulate the HTML DOM objects.
Document Object
Write text to the output with document.write()
Write formatted text to the output with document.write()
Return the number of anchors in a document
Return the innerHTML of the first anchor in a document
Return the number of forms in a document
Return the name of the first form in a document
Return the number of images in a document
Return the id of the first image in a document
Return the number of links in a document
Return the id of the first link in a document
Return all name/value pairs of cookies in a document
Return the domain name of the server that loaded the document
Return the date and time the document was last modified
Return the URL of the document that loaded the current document
Return the title of a document
Return the full URL of a document
Open an output stream, and add some text
Open an output stream in a new window, and add some text
Difference between write() and writeln()
Alert innerHTML of an element with a specific ID
Alert the number of elements with a specific name
Alert the number of elements with a specific tagname
More Document object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Anchor Object
Return and set the value of the charset attribute of a link
Return the value of the href attribute of a link
Return and set the value of the hreflang attribute of a link
Return the name of an anchor
Return the relationship between the current document and the linked document
Change the target attribute of a link
Return the value of the type attribute of a link
More Anchor object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Area Object
Return the alternate text for an area in an image-map
Return the coordinates of an area in an image-map
Return the anchor part of the href attribute of an area
Return the hostname:port for an area in an image-map
Return the hostname for an area in an image-map
Return the port for an area in an image-map
Return the href of an area in an image-map
Return the pathname for an area in an image-map
Return the protocol for an area in an image-map
Return the querystring part of the href attribute of an area
Return the shape of an area in an image-map
Return the value of the target attribute for an area in an image-map
More Area object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Base Object
Return the base URL for all relative URLs on a page
Return the base target for all links on a page
More Base object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Button Object
Set a button to disabled when clicked
Return the name of a button
Return the type of a button
Return the text displayed on a button
Return the id of the form a button belongs to
More Button object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Form Object
Return the value of each element in a form
Return the value of the accept-charset attribute in a form
Return the value of the action attribute in a form
Return the value of the enctype attribute in a form
Return the number of elements in a form
Return the method for sending form data
Return the name of a form
Return the value of the target attribute in a form
Reset a form
Submit a form
More Form object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Frame/IFrame Objects
Align an iframe
Change the background color of the document contained in an iframe
Return the value of the frameborder attribute in an iframe
Remove frameborder of an iframe
Change the height and width of an iframe
Return the value of the longdesc attribute in an iframe
Return the value of the marginheight attribute in an iframe
Return the value of the marginwidth attribute in an iframe
Return the value of the name attribute in an iframe
Return and set the value of the scrolling attribute in an iframe
Change the src attribute of an iframe
More Frame/IFrame object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Image Object
Align an image
Return the alternate text of an image
Add border to an image
Change the height and width of an image
Set the hspace and vspace properties of an image
Return the value of the longdesc attribute of an image
Create a link to a low-resolution version of an image
Return the name of an image
Change the src of an image
Return the value of the usemap attribute of a client-side image-map
More Image object examples in our JavaScript reference.
Event Object
Which mouse button was clicked?
What is the keycode of the key pressed?
What are the coordinates of the cursor?
What are the coordinates of the cursor, relative to the screen?
Was the shift key pressed?
Which element was clicked?
Which event type occurred?
Option and Select Objects
Disable and enable a dropdown list
Get the id of the form that contains the dropdown list
Get the number of options in the dropdown list
Turn the dropdown list into a multiline list
Select multiple options in a dropdown list
Alert the selected option in a dropdown list
Alert the index of the selected option in a dropdown list
Change the text of the selected option
Remove options from a dropdown list
Table, TableHeader, TableRow, TableData Objects
Change the width of a table border
Change the cellPadding and cellSpacing of a table
Specify frames of a table
Specify rules for a table
InnerHTML of a row
InnerHTML of a cell
Create a caption for a table
Delete rows in a table
Add rows to a table
Add cells to a table row
Align the cell content in a table row
Vertical align the cell content in a table row
Align the cell content in a single cell
Vertical align the cell content in a single cell
Change the content of a table cell
Change the colspan of a table row
Ref: http://www.w3schools.com/jsref/default.asp
JavaScript and HTML DOM Reference
This section contains a complete reference of
All built-in JavaScript objects
All browser objects
All HTML DOM objects
JavaScript Objects Reference
The references describe the properties and methods of each object, along with examples.
- Array object
- Boolean object
- Date object
- Math object
- Number object
- String object
- RegExp object
- Global properties and functions
Browser Objects Reference
The references describe the properties and methods of each object, along with examples.
HTML DOM Objects Reference
The references describe the properties and methods of each object, along with examples.
- Document object
- Event object
- HTMLElement object
- Anchor object
- Area object
- Base object
- Body object
- Button object
- Form object
- Frame/IFrame object
- Frameset object
- Image object
- Input Button object
- Input Checkbox object
- Input File object
- Input Hidden object
- Input Password object
- Input Radio object
- Input Reset object
- Input Submit object
- Input Text object
- Link object
- Meta object
- Object object
- Option object
- Select object
- Style object
- Table object
- td / th object
- tr object
- Textarea object