javascript_quick_guide
javascript_quick_guide
JJAVASCRIIPT -- OVERVIIEW
What is JavaScript ?
Javascript is a dynamic computer programming language. It is lightweight and most commonly used as a
part of web pages, whose implementations allow client-side script to interact with the user and make
dynamic pages. It is an interpreted programming language with object-oriented capabilities.
JavaScript was first known as LiveScript, but Netscape changed its name to JavaScript, possibly because of
the excitement being generated by Java. JavaScript made its first appearance in Netscape 2.0 in 1995 with
the name LiveScript . The general-purpose core of the language has been embedded in Netscape, Internet
Explorer, and other web browsers.
The ECMA-262 Specification defined a standard version of the core JavaScript language.
Client-side JavaScript
Client-side JavaScript is the most common form of the language. The script should be included in or
referenced by an HTML document for the code to be interpreted by the browser.
It means that a web page need not be a static HTML, but can include programs that interact with the user,
control the browser, and dynamically create HTML content.
The JavaScript client-side mechanism provides many advantages over traditional CGI server-side scripts. For
example, you might use JavaScript to check if the user has entered a valid e-mail address in a form field.
The JavaScript code is executed when the user submits the form, and only if all the entries are valid, they
would be submitted to the Web Server.
JavaScript can be used to trap user-initiated events such as button clicks, link navigation, and other actions that
the user initiates explicitly or implicitly.
Advantages of JavaScript
The merits of using JavaScript are −
Less server interaction − You can validate user input before sending the page off to the server. This
saves server traffic, which means less load on your server.
Immediate feedback to the visitors − They don't have to wait for a page reload to see if they have
forgotten to enter something.
Increased interactivity − You can create interfaces that react when the user hovers over them with a
mouse or activates them via the keyboard.
Richer interfaces − You can use JavaScript to include such items as drag-and-drop
components and sliders to give a Rich Interface to your site visitors.
Limitations of JavaScript
We cannot treat JavaScript as a full-fledged programming language. It lacks the following important
features −
Client-side JavaScript does not allow the reading or writing of files. This has been kept for security
reason.
JavaScript cannot be used for networking applications because there is no such support available.
Once again, JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted programming language that allows you to build interactivity
into otherwise static HTML pages.
JavaScript Development Tools
One of major strengths of JavaScript is that it does not require expensive development tools. You can start
with a simple text editor such as Notepad. Since it is an interpreted language inside the context of a web
browser, you don't even need to buy a compiler.
To make our life simpler, various vendors have come up with very nice JavaScript editing tools. Some of
them are listed here −
Microsoft FrontPage − Microsoft has developed a popular HTML editor called FrontPage. FrontPage
also provides web developers with a number of JavaScript tools to assist in the creation of interactive
websites.
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX − Macromedia Dreamweaver MX is a very popular HTML and
JavaScript editor in the professional web development crowd. It provides several handy prebuilt
JavaScript components, integrates well with databases, and conforms to new standards such as XHTML
and XML.
Macromedia HomeSite 5 − HomeSite 5 is a well-liked HTML and JavaScript editor from
Macromedia that can be used to manage personal websites effectively.
Where is JavaScript Today ?
The ECMAScript Edition 5 standard will be the first update to be released in over four years. JavaScript 2.0
conforms to Edition 5 of the ECMAScript standard, and the difference between the two is extremely minor.
The specification for JavaScript 2.0 can be found on the following site: http://www.ecmascript.org/
Today, Netscape's JavaScript and Microsoft's JScript conform to the ECMAScript standard, although both the
languages still support the features that are not a part of the standard.
JJAVASCRIIPT -- SYNTAX
JavaScript can be implemented using JavaScript statements that are placed within the <script>...
</script> HTML tags in a web page.
You can place the <script> tags, containing your JavaScript, anywhere within you web page, but it is normally
recommended that you should keep it within the <head> tags.
The <script> tag alerts the browser program to start interpreting all the text between these tags as a script. A
simple syntax of your JavaScript will appear as follows.
<script ...>
JavaScript code
</script>
Language − This attribute specifies what scripting language you are using. Typically, its value will be
javascript. Although recent versions of HTML (and XHTML, its successor) have
phased out the use of this attribute.
Type − This attribute is what is now recommended to indicate the scripting language in use and its value
should be set to "text/javascript".
So your JavaScript segment will look like −
<html>
<body>
<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript"> <!--
document.write("Hello World!")
//-->
</script>
</body>
</html>
Hello World!
var1 = 10
var2 = 20
//-->
</script>
But when formatted in a single line as follows, you must use semicolons −
So the identifiers Time and TIME will convey different meanings in JavaScript.
NOTE − Care should be taken while writing variable and function names in JavaScript.
Comments in JavaScript
JavaScript supports both C-style and C++-style comments, Thus −
Any text between a // and the end of a line is treated as a comment and is ignored by JavaScript.
Any text between the characters /* and */ is treated as a comment. This may span multiple lines.
JavaScript also recognizes the HTML comment opening sequence <!--. JavaScript treats this as a single
-line comment, just as it does the // comment.
The HTML comment closing sequence --> is not recognized by JavaScript so it should be written as
//-->.
Example
The following example shows how to use comments in JavaScript.
/*
* This is a multiline comment in JavaScript
* It is very similar to comments in C Programming
*/
//-->
</script>
To disable JavaScript support in your Internet Explorer, you need to select Disable radio button
under Active scripting.
JavaScript in Firefox
Here are the steps to turn on or turn off JavaScript in Firefox −
Then you will find the warning dialog. Select I’ll be careful, I promise!
Then you will find the list of configure options in the browser.
There you will find the option to enable or disable javascript by right-clicking on the value of that option →
select toggle.
If javascript.enabled is true; it converts to false upon clicking toogle. If javascript is disabled; it gets enabled
upon clicking toggle.
JavaScript in Chrome
Here are the steps to turn on or turn off JavaScript in Chrome −
Click the Chrome menu at the top right hand corner of your browser.
Select Settings.
In the "Javascript" section, select "Do not allow any site to run JavaScript" or "Allow all sites to run
JavaScript (recommended)".
JavaScript in Opera
Here are the steps to turn on or turn off JavaScript in Opera −
To disable JavaScript support in your Opera, you should not select the Enable JavaScript checkbox.
Warning for Non-JavaScript Browsers
If you have to do something important using JavaScript, then you can display a warning message to the user
using <noscript> tags.
You can add a noscript block immediately after the script block as follows −
<html>
<body>
document.write("Hello World!")
//-->
</script>
<noscript>
Sorry...JavaScript is needed to go ahead.
</noscript>
</body>
</html>
Now, if the user's browser does not support JavaScript or JavaScript is not enabled, then the message
from </noscript> will be displayed on the screen.
In the following section, we will see how we can place JavaScript in an HTML file in different ways.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function sayHello() {
alert("Hello World")
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<input type="button" onclick="sayHello()" value="Say Hello" /> </body>
</html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write("Hello World")
//-->
</script>
</body>
</html>
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function sayHello() {
alert("Hello World")
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write("Hello World")
//-->
</script>
</body>
</html>
Here is an example to show how you can include an external JavaScript file in your HTML code using
script tag and its src attribute.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript" src="filename.js" ></script> </head>
<body>
.......
</body>
</html>
To use JavaScript from an external file source, you need to write all your JavaScript source code in a simple
text file with the extension ".js" and then include that file as shown above.
For example, you can keep the following content in filename.js file and then you can use sayHello
function in your HTML file after including the filename.js file.
function sayHello() {
alert("Hello World")
}
JJAVASCRIIPT -- VARIIABLES
JavaScript Datatypes
One of the most fundamental characteristics of a programming language is the set of data types it supports.
These are the type of values that can be represented and manipulated in a programming language.
JavaScript also defines two trivial data types, null and undefined, each of which defines only a single value.
In addition to these primitive data types, JavaScript supports a composite data type known as object. We will
cover objects in detail in a separate chapter.
Note − Java does not make a distinction between integer values and floating-point values. All numbers in
JavaScript are represented as floating-point values. JavaScript represents numbers
using the 64-bit floating-point format defined by the IEEE 754 standard.
JavaScript Variables
Like many other programming languages, JavaScript has variables. Variables can be thought of as named
containers. You can place data into these containers and then refer to the data simply by naming the container.
Before you use a variable in a JavaScript program, you must declare it. Variables are declared with the var
keyword as follows.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var money;
var name;
//-->
</script>
You can also declare multiple variables with the same var keyword as follows −
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var money, name;
//-->
</script>
Storing a value in a variable is called variable initialization. You can do variable initialization at the time of
variable creation or at a later point in time when you need that variable.
For instance, you might create a variable named money and assign the value 2000.50 to it later.
For another variable, you can assign a value at the time of initialization as follows.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var name = "Ali";
var money;
money = 2000.50;
//-->
</script>
Note − Use the var keyword only for declaration or initialization, once for the life of any variable name in a
document. You should not re-declare same variable twice.
JavaScript is untyped language. This means that a JavaScript variable can hold a value of any data type.
Unlike many other languages, you don't have to tell JavaScript during variable declaration what type of
value the variable will hold. The value type of a variable can change during the execution of a program and
JavaScript takes care of it automatically.
JavaScript Variable Scope
The scope of a variable is the region of your program in which it is defined. JavaScript variables have only
two scopes.
Global Variables − A global variable has global scope which means it can be defined anywhere in
your JavaScript code.
Local Variables − A local variable will be visible only within a function where it is defined.
Function parameters are always local to that function.
Within the body of a function, a local variable takes precedence over a global variable with the same name. If
you declare a local variable or function parameter with the same name as a global variable, you effectively hide
the global variable. Take a look into the following example.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var myVar = "global"; // Declare a global variable function
checkscope( ) {
var myVar = "local"; // Declare a local variable
document.write(myVar);
}
//-->
</script>
local
You should not use any of the JavaScript reserved keywords as a variable name. These keywords are
mentioned in the next section. For example, break or boolean variable names are not valid.
JavaScript variable names should not start with a numeral (0-9). They must begin with a letter or an
underscore character. For example, 123test is an invalid variable name but _123test is a valid one.
JavaScript variable names are case-sensitive. For example, Name and name are two different
variables.
JavaScript Reserved Words
A list of all the reserved words in JavaScript are given in the following table. They cannot be used as
JavaScript variables, functions, methods, loop labels, or any object names.
double in super
JJAVASCRIIPT -- OPERATORS
What is an operator?
Let us take a simple expression 4 + 5 is equal to 9. Here 4 and 5 are called operands and ‘+’ is called the
operator . JavaScript supports the following types of operators.
Arithmetic Operators
Comparision Operators
Assignment Operators
Arithmetic Operators
JavaScript supports the following arithmetic operators − Assume
1
+ (Addition)
Adds two operands
2
- (Subtraction)
Subtracts the second operand from the first
3
* (Multiplication)
Multiply both operands
4
/ (Division)
Divide the numerator by the denominator
5
% (Modulus)
Outputs the remainder of an integer division
7
-- (Decrement)
Decreases an integer value by one
Note − Addition operator (+) works for Numeric as well as Strings. e.g. "a" + 10 will give "a10".
Example
The following code shows how to use arithmetic operators in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var a = 33;
var b = 10;
var c = "Test";
var linebreak = "<br />";
document.write("a + b = ");
result = a + b;
document.write(result);
document.write(linebreak);
document.write("a - b = ");
result = a - b;
document.write(result);
document.write(linebreak);
document.write("a / b = ");
result = a / b;
document.write(result);
document.write(linebreak);
document.write("a % b = ");
result = a % b;
document.write(result);
document.write(linebreak);
document.write("a + b + c = ");
result = a + b + c;
document.write(result);
document.write(linebreak);
a = a++;
document.write("a++ = ");
result = a++;
document.write(result);
document.write(linebreak);
b = b--;
document.write("b-- = ");
result = b--;
document.write(result);
document.write(linebreak);
//-->
</script>
Output
a + b = 43
a - b = 23
a / b = 3.3
a%b=3
a + b + c = 43Test
a++ = 33
b-- = 10
Set the variables to different values and then try...
Comparison Operators
JavaScript supports the following comparison operators − Assume
1
= = (Equal)
Checks if the value of two operands are equal or not, if yes, then the condition becomes true.
2
!= (Not Equal)
Checks if the value of two operands are equal or not, if the values are not equal, then the
condition becomes true.
Ex: (A != B) is true.
3
> (Greater than)
Checks if the value of the left operand is greater than the value of the right operand, if yes, then
the condition becomes true.
Ex: (A > B) is not true.
4
< (Less than)
Checks if the value of the left operand is less than the value of the right operand, if yes, then the
condition becomes true.
Ex: (A < B) is true.
5
>= (Greater than or Equal to)
Checks if the value of the left operand is greater than or equal to the value of the right operand, if
yes, then the condition becomes true.
Ex: (A >= B) is not true.
6
<= (Less than or Equal to)
Checks if the value of the left operand is less than or equal to the value of the right operand, if
yes, then the condition becomes true.
Ex: (A <= B) is true.
Example
The following code shows how to use comparison operators in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var a = 10;
var b = 20;
var linebreak = "<br />";
Set the variables to different values and different operators and then try...
</body>
</html>
Output
(a == b) => false
(a < b) => true
(a > b) => false
(a != b) => true
(a >= b) => false
a <= b) => true
Set the variables to different values and different operators and then try...
Logical Operators
JavaScript supports the following logical operators − Assume
1
&& (Logical AND)
If both the operands are non-zero, then the condition becomes true.
2
|| (Logical OR)
If any of the two operands are non-zero, then the condition becomes true.
Ex: (A || B) is true.
3
! (Logical NOT)
Reverses the logical state of its operand. If a condition is true, then the Logical NOT operator
will make it false.
Ex: ! (A && B) is false.
Example
Try the following code to learn how to implement Logical Operators in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var a = true;
var b = false;
var linebreak = "<br />";
<p>Set the variables to different values and different operators and then try...</p>
</body>
</html>
Output
Bitwise Operators
JavaScript supports the following bitwise operators − Assume
1
& (Bitwise AND)
It performs a Boolean AND operation on each bit of its integer arguments.
Ex: (A & B) is 2.
2
| (BitWise OR)
It performs a Boolean OR operation on each bit of its integer arguments.
Ex: (A | B) is 3.
3
^ (Bitwise XOR)
It performs a Boolean exclusive OR operation on each bit of its integer arguments.
Exclusive OR means that either operand one is true or operand two is true, but not both.
Ex: (A ^ B) is 1.
4
~ (Bitwise Not)
It is a unary operator and operates by reversing all the bits in the operand.
5
<< (Left Shift)
It moves all the bits in its first operand to the left by the number of places specified in the second
operand. New bits are filled with zeros. Shifting a value left by one position is equivalent to
multiplying it by 2, shifting two positions is equivalent to multiplying by 4, and so on.
Ex: (A << 1) is 4.
6
>> (Right Shift)
Binary Right Shift Operator. The left operand’s value is moved right by the number of bits
specified by the right operand.
Ex: (A >> 1) is 1.
7
>>> (Right shift with Zero)
This operator is just like the >> operator, except that the bits shifted in on the left are always zero.
Ex: (A >>> 1) is 1.
Example
Try the following code to implement Bitwise operator in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var a = 2; // Bit presentation 10
var b = 3; // Bit presentation 11
var linebreak = "<br />";
<p>Set the variables to different values and different operators and then
try...</p>
</body>
</html>
(a & b) => 2
(a | b) => 3
(a ^ b) => 1
(~b) => -4
(a << b) => 16
(a >> b) => 0
Set the variables to different values and different operators and then try...
Assignment Operators
JavaScript supports the following assignment operators −
1
= (Simple Assignment )
Assigns values from the right side operand to the left side operand
2
+= (Add and Assignment)
It adds the right operand to the left operand and assigns the result to the left operand. Ex: C += A
is equivalent to C = C + A
3
−= (Subtract and Assignment)
It subtracts the right operand from the left operand and assigns the result to the left operand.
Ex: C -= A is equivalent to C = C - A
4
*= (Multiply and Assignment)
It multiplies the right operand with the left operand and assigns the result to the left operand.
Ex: C *= A is equivalent to C = C * A
5
/= (Divide and Assignment)
It divides the left operand with the right operand and assigns the result to the left operand.
Ex: C /= A is equivalent to C = C / A
6
%= (Modules and Assignment)
It takes modulus using two operands and assigns the result to the left operand. Ex: C %=
A is equivalent to C = C % A
Note − Same logic applies to Bitwise operators so they will become like <<=, >>=, >>=, &=, |= and ^=.
Example
Try the following code to implement assignment operator in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var a = 33;
var b = 10;
var linebreak = "<br />";
<p>Set the variables to different values and different operators and then try...</p>
</body>
</html>
Output
Miscellaneous Operator
We will discuss two operators here that are quite useful in JavaScript: the conditional operator (? :) and the
typeof operator.
Conditional Operator (? :)
The conditional operator first evaluates an expression for a true or false value and then executes one of the
two given statements depending upon the result of the evaluation.
1
? : (Conditional )
If Condition is true? Then value X : Otherwise value Y
Example
Try the following code to understand how the Conditional Operator works in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var a = 10;
var b = 20;
var linebreak = "<br />";
<p>Set the variables to different values and different operators and then try...</p>
</body>
</html>
Output
typeof Operator
The typeof operator is a unary operator that is placed before its single operand, which can be of any type. Its
value is a string indicating the data type of the operand.
The typeof operator evaluates to "number", "string", or "boolean" if its operand is a number, string, or boolean
value and returns true or false based on the evaluation.
Here is a list of the return values for the typeof Operator.
Type String Returned by typeof
Number "number"
String "string"
Boolean "boolean"
Object "object"
Function "function"
Undefined "undefined"
Null "object"
Example
The following code shows how to implement typeof operator.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var a = 10;
var b = "String";
var linebreak = "<br />";
<p>Set the variables to different values and different operators and then try...</p>
</body>
</html>
Output
if statement
if...else statement
if statement
The if statement is the fundamental control statement that allows JavaScript to make decisions and execute
statements conditionally.
Syntax
The syntax for a basic if statement is as follows −
if (expression){
Statement(s) to be executed if expression is true
}
Here a JavaScript expression is evaluated. If the resulting value is true, the given statement(s) are executed. If
the expression is false, then no statement would be not executed. Most of the times, you will use comparison
operators while making decisions.
Example
Try the following example to understand how the if statement works.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var age = 20;
Output
if...else statement:
The 'if...else' statement is the next form of control statement that allows JavaScript to execute statements
in a more controlled way.
Syntax
if (expression){
Statement(s) to be executed if expression is true
}
else{
Statement(s) to be executed if expression is false
}
Here JavaScript expression is evaluated. If the resulting value is true, the given statement(s) in the ‘if’ block, are
executed. If the expression is false, then the given statement(s) in the else block are executed.
Example
Try the following code to learn how to implement an if-else statement in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var age = 15;
else{
document.write("<b>Does not qualify for driving</b>");
}
//-->
</script>
</html>
Output
Syntax
The syntax of an if-else-if statement is as follows −
if (expression 1){
Statement(s) to be executed if expression 1 is true
}
else{
Statement(s) to be executed if no expression is true
}
There is nothing special about this code. It is just a series of if statements, where each if is a part of the else
clause of the previous statement. Statement(s) are executed based on the true condition, if none of the
conditions is true, then the else block is executed.
Example
Try the following code to learn how to implement an if-else-if statement in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var book = "maths";
if( book == "history" ){
document.write("<b>History Book</b>");
}
else{
document.write("<b>Unknown Book</b>");
}
//-->
</script>
<html>
Output
Maths Book
Set the variable to different value and then try...
JJAVASCRIIPT -- SWIITCH CASE
You can use multiple if...else…if statements, as in the previous chapter, to perform a multiway branch.
However, this is not always the best solution, especially when all of the branches depend on the value of a
single variable.
Starting with JavaScript 1.2, you can use a switch statement which handles exactly this situation,
and it does so more efficiently than repeated if...else if statements.
Flow Chart
The following flow chart explains a switch-case statement works.
Syntax
The objective of a switch statement is to give an expression to evaluate and several different statements to
execute based on the value of the expression. The interpreter checks each case against the value of the
expression until a match is found. If nothing matches, a default condition will be used.
switch (expression)
{
case condition 1: statement(s)
break;
default: statement(s)
}
The break statements indicate the end of a particular case. If they were omitted, the interpreter would
continue executing each statement in each of the following cases.
We will explain break statement in Loop Control chapter.
Example
Try the following example to implement switch-case statement.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var grade='A';
document.write("Entering switch block<br />");
switch (grade)
{
case 'A': document.write("Good job<br />");
break;
</html>
Output
Break statements play a major role in switch-case statements. Try the following code that uses switch -case
statement without any break statement.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var grade='A';
document.write("Entering switch block<br />");
switch (grade)
{
case 'A': document.write("Good job<br />");
case 'B': document.write("Pretty good<br />");
case 'C': document.write("Passed<br />");
case 'D': document.write("Not so good<br />");
case 'F': document.write("Failed<br />");
default: document.write("Unknown grade<br />")
}
document.write("Exiting switch block");
//-->
</script>
</html>
Output
JavaScript supports all the necessary loops to ease down the pressure of programming.
Flow Chart
The flow chart of while loop looks as follows −
Syntax
The syntax of while loop in JavaScript is as follows −
while (expression){
Statement(s) to be executed if expression is true
}
Example
Try the following example to implement while loop.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var count = 0;
document.write("Starting Loop ");
document.write("Loop stopped!");
//-->
</script>
</html>
Output
Starting Loop
Current Count : 0
Current Count : 1
Current Count : 2
Current Count : 3
Current Count : 4
Current Count : 5
Current Count : 6
Current Count : 7
Current Count : 8
Current Count : 9
Loop stopped!
Set the variable to different value and then try...
Flow Chart
The flow chart of a do-while loop would be as follows −
Syntax
The syntax for do-while loop in JavaScript is as follows −
do{
Statement(s) to be executed;
} while (expression);
Note − Don’t miss the semicolon used at the end of the do...while loop.
Example
Try the following example to learn how to implement a do-while loop in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var count = 0;
</html>
Output
Starting Loop
Current Count : 0
Current Count : 1
Current Count : 2
Current Count : 3
Current Count : 4
Loop Stopped!
Set the variable to different value and then try...
JJAVASCRIIPT -- FOR LOOP
The 'for' loop is the most compact form of looping. It includes the following three important parts −
The loop initialization where we initialize our counter to a starting value. The initialization statement is
executed before the loop begins.
The test statement which will test if a given condition is true or not. If the condition is true, then the code
given inside the loop will be executed, otherwise the control will come out of the loop.
The iteration statement where you can increase or decrease your counter.
You can put all the three parts in a single line separated by semicolons.
Flow Chart
The flow chart of a for loop in JavaScript would be as follows −
Syntax
The syntax of for loop is JavaScript is as follows −
Example
Try the following example to learn how a for loop works in JavaScript.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var count;
document.write("Starting Loop" + "<br />");
document.write("Loop stopped!");
//-->
</script>
<p>Set the variable to different value and then try...</p> </body>
</html>
Output
Starting Loop
Current Count : 0
Current Count : 1
Current Count : 2
Current Count : 3
Current Count : 4
Current Count : 5
Current Count : 6
Current Count : 7
Current Count : 8
Current Count : 9
Loop stopped!
Set the variable to different value and then try...
JJAVASCRIIPT FOR......IIN LOOP
The for...in loop is used to loop through an object's properties. As we have not discussed Objects yet, you may
not feel comfortable with this loop. But once you understand how objects behave in JavaScript, you will find
this loop very useful.
Syntax
In each iteration, one property from object is assigned to variablename and this loop continues till all the
properties of the object are exhausted.
Example
Try the following example to implement ‘for-in’ loop. It prints the web browser’s Navigator object.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var aProperty;
document.write("Navigator Object Properties<br /> ");
</script>
</html>
Output
Flow Chart
The flow chart of a break statement would look as follows −
Example
The following example illustrates the use of a break statement with a while loop. Notice how the loop breaks out
early once x reaches 5 and reaches to document.write (..) statement just below to the closing curly brace −
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var x = 1;
document.write("Entering the loop<br /> ");
</html>
Output
We already have seen the usage of break statement inside a switch statement.
Example
This example illustrates the use of a continue statement with a while loop. Notice how the continue
statement is used to skip printing when the index held in variable x reaches 5 −
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var x = 1;
document.write("Entering the loop<br /> ");
while (x < 10)
{
x = x + 1;
if (x == 5){
continue; // skill rest of the loop body
}
document.write( x + "<br />");
}
</script>
</html>
Output
Note − Line breaks are not allowed between the ‘continue’ or ‘break’ statement and its label name. Also,
there should not be any other statement in between a label name and associated loop.
Example 1
The following example shows how to implement Label with a break statement.
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write("Entering the loop!<br /> ");
outerloop: // This is the label name
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example 2
<html>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write("Entering the loop!<br /> "); outerloop: //
This is the label name
if (j == 3){
continue outerloop;
}
document.write("Innerloop: " + j + "<br />");
}
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Like any other advanced programming language, JavaScript also supports all the features necessary to write
modular code using functions. You must have seen functions like alert() and write() in the earlier chapters. We
were using these functions again and again, but they had been written in core JavaScript only once.
JavaScript allows us to write our own functions as well. This section explains how to write your own functions in
JavaScript.
Function Definition
Before we use a function, we need to define it. The most common way to define a function in JavaScript
is by using the function keyword, followed by a unique function name, a list of parameters (that might be
empty), and a statement block surrounded by curly braces.
Syntax
The basic syntax is shown here.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function functionname(parameter-list)
{
statements
}
//-->
</script>
Example
Try the following example. It defines a function called sayHello that takes no parameters −
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function sayHello()
{
alert("Hello there");
}
//-->
</script>
Calling a Function
To invoke a function somewhere later in the script, you would simply need to write the name of that function
as shown in the following code.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function sayHello()
{
document.write ("Hello there!");
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button to call the function</p>
<form>
<input type="button" onclick="sayHello()" value="Say Hello"> </form>
</html>
Output
Function Parameters
Till now, we have seen functions without parameters. But there is a facility to pass different parameters while
calling a function. These passed parameters can be captured inside the function and any manipulation can be
done over those parameters. A function can take multiple parameters separated by comma.
Example
Try the following example. We have modified our sayHello function here. Now it takes two parameters.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function sayHello(name, age)
{
document.write (name + " is " + age + " years old.");
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button to call the function</p>
<form>
<input type="button" onclick="sayHello('Zara', 7)" value="Say Hello"> </form>
<p>Use different parameters inside the function and then try...</p> </body>
</html>
Output
Example
Try the following example. It defines a function that takes two parameters and concatenates them before
returning the resultant in the calling program.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function concatenate(first, last)
{
var full;
full = first + last;
return full;
}
function secondFunction()
{
var result;
result = concatenate('Zara', 'Ali');
document.write (result );
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button to call the function</p>
<form>
<input type="button" onclick="secondFunction()" value="Call Function"> <form>
</body>
</html>
Output
There is a lot to learn about JavaScript functions, however we have covered the most important concepts in
this tutorial.
JavaScript Nested Functions
JJAVASCRIIPT -- EVENTS
What is an Event ?
JavaScript's interaction with HTML is handled through events that occur when the user or the browser
manipulates a page.
When the page loads, it is called an event. When the user clicks a button, that click too is an event.
Other examples include events like pressing any key, closing a window, resizing a window, etc.
Developers can use these events to execute JavaScript coded responses, which cause buttons to close
windows, messages to be displayed to users, data to be validated, and virtually any other type of response
imaginable.
Events are a part of the Document Object Model (DOM) Level 3 and every HTML element contains a set of
events which can trigger JavaScript Code.
Please go through this small tutorial for a better understanding HTML Event Reference. Here we will see a
few examples to understand a relation between Event and JavaScript −
onclick Event Type
This is the most frequently used event type which occurs when a user clicks the left button of his mouse. You
can put your validation, warning etc., against this event type.
Example
Try the following example.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function sayHello() {
alert("Hello World")
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button and see result</p>
<form>
<input type="button" onclick="sayHello()" value="Say Hello" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example
The following example shows how to use onsubmit. Here we are calling a validate() function before submitting a
form data to the webserver. If validate() function returns true, the form will be submitted, otherwise it will not
submit the data.
Try the following example.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function validation() {
all validation goes here
.........
return either true or false
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function over() {
document.write ("Mouse Over");
}
function out() {
document.write ("Mouse Out");
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Bring your mouse inside the division to see the result:</p>
</body>
</html>
Output
onloadstart script Triggers when the browser starts to load the media data
onmouseout script Triggers when the mouse pointer moves out of an element
onmouseover script Triggers when the mouse pointer moves over an element
onprogress script Triggers when the browser is fetching the media data
onratechange script Triggers when the media data's playing rate has changed
How It Works ?
Your server sends some data to the visitor's browser in the form of a cookie. The browser may accept the cookie.
If it does, it is stored as a plain text record on the visitor's hard drive. Now, when the visitor arrives at another
page on your site, the browser sends the same cookie to the server for retrieval. Once retrieved, your server
knows/remembers what was stored earlier.
Cookies are a plain text data record of 5 variable-length fields −
Expires − The date the cookie will expire. If this is blank, the cookie will expire when the visitor quits
the browser.
Domain − The domain name of your site.
Path − The path to the directory or web page that set the cookie. This may be blank if you want to
retrieve the cookie from any directory or page.
Secure − If this field contains the word "secure", then the cookie may only be retrieved with a secure
server. If this field is blank, no such restriction exists.
Name=Value − Cookies are set and retrieved in the form of key-value pairs
Cookies were originally designed for CGI programming. The data contained in a cookie is automatically
transmitted between the web browser and the web server, so CGI scripts on the server can read and write
cookie values that are stored on the client.
JavaScript can also manipulate cookies using the cookie property of the Document object.
JavaScript can read, create, modify, and delete the cookies that apply to the current web page.
Storing Cookies
The simplest way to create a cookie is to assign a string value to the document.cookie object, which looks
like this.
document.cookie = "key1=value1;key2=value2;expires=date";
Here the expires attribute is optional. If you provide this attribute with a valid date or time, then the cookie will
expire on a given date or time and thereafter, the cookies' value will not be accessible.
Note − Cookie values may not include semicolons, commas, or whitespace. For this reason, you may want to
use the JavaScript escape() function to encode the value before storing it in the cookie. If you do this, you will
also have to use the corresponding unescape() function when you read the cookie value.
Example
Try the following. It sets a customer name in an input cookie.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function WriteCookie()
{
if( document.myform.customer.value == "" ){
alert("Enter some value!");
return;
}
cookievalue= escape(document.myform.customer.value) + ";";
document.cookie="name=" + cookievalue;
document.write ("Setting Cookies : " + "name=" + cookievalue );
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Output
Now your machine has a cookie called name. You can set multiple cookies using multiple key=value
pairs separated by comma.
Reading Cookies
Reading a cookie is just as simple as writing one, because the value of the document.cookie object is the cookie.
So you can use this string whenever you want to access the cookie. The document.cookie string will keep a list
of name=value pairs separated by semicolons, where name is the name of a cookie and value is its string value.
You can use strings' split() function to break a string into key and values as follows −
Example
Try the following example to get all the cookies.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function ReadCookie()
{
var allcookies = document.cookie;
document.write ("All Cookies : " + allcookies );
// Now take key value pair out of this array for(var i=0;
i<cookiearray.length; i++){
name = cookiearray[i].split('=')[0]; value =
cookiearray[i].split('=')[1];
document.write ("Key is : " + name + " and Value is : " + value);
}
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Note − Here length is a method of Array class which returns the length of an array. We will discuss
Arrays in a separate chapter. By that time, please try to digest it.
Note − There may be some other cookies already set on your machine. The above code will display all
the cookies set on your machine.
Setting Cookies Expiry Date
You can extend the life of a cookie beyond the current browser session by setting an expiration date and
saving the expiry date within the cookie. This can be done by setting the ‘expires’ attribute to a date and
time.
Example
Try the following example. It illustrates how to extend the expiry date of a cookie by 1 Month.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function WriteCookie()
{
var now = new Date();
now.setMonth( now.getMonth() + 1 );
cookievalue = escape(document.myform.customer.value) + ";"
document.cookie="name=" + cookievalue;
document.cookie = "expires=" + now.toUTCString() + ";" document.write ("Setting
Cookies : " + "name=" + cookievalue );
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Output
Deleting a Cookie
Sometimes you will want to delete a cookie so that subsequent attempts to read the cookie return nothing. To
do this, you just need to set the expiry date to a time in the past.
Example
Try the following example. It illustrates how to delete a cookie by setting its expiry date to one month
behind the current date.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function WriteCookie()
{
var now = new Date();
now.setMonth( now.getMonth() - 1 );
cookievalue = escape(document.myform.customer.value) + ";"
document.cookie="name=" + cookievalue;
document.cookie = "expires=" + now.toUTCString() + ";" document.write("Setting
Cookies : " + "name=" + cookievalue );
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Output
JJAVASCRIIPT -- PAGE REDIIRECTIION
What is Page Redirection ?
You might have encountered a situation where you clicked a URL to reach a page X but internally you were
directed to another page Y. It happens due to page redirection. This concept is different from JavaScript Page
Refresh.
There could be various reasons why you would like to redirect a user from the original page. We are listing
down a few of the reasons −
You did not like the name of your domain and you are moving to a new one. In such a scenario, you may
want to direct all your visitors to the new site. Here you can maintain your old domain but put a single
page with a page redirection such that all your old domain visitors can come to your new domain.
You have built-up various pages based on browser versions or their names or may be based on different
countries, then instead of using your server-side page redirection, you can use client-side page
redirection to land your users on the appropriate page.
The Search Engines may have already indexed your pages. But while moving to another domain, you
would not like to lose your visitors coming through search engines. So you can use client-side page
redirection. But keep in mind this should not be done to fool the search engine, it could lead your site to
get banned.
How Page Re-direction Works ?
The implementations of Page-Redirection are as follows.
Example 1
It is quite simple to do a page redirect using JavaScript at client side. To redirect your site visitors to a new
page, you just need to add a line in your head section as follows.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function Redirect() {
window.location="http://www.tutorialspoint.com";
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button, you will be redirected to home page.</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Redirect Me" onclick="Redirect();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example 2
You can show an appropriate message to your site visitors before redirecting them to a new page. This would
need a bit time delay to load a new page. The following example shows how to implement the same. Here
setTimeout() is a built-in JavaScript function which can be used to execute another function after a given time
interval.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function Redirect() {
window.location="http://www.tutorialspoint.com";
}
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example 3
The following example shows how to redirect your site visitors onto a different page based on their browsers.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var browsername=navigator.appName;
if( browsername == "Netscape" )
{
window.location="http://www.location.com/ns.htm";
}
else if ( browsername =="Microsoft Internet Explorer")
{
window.location="http://www.location.com/ie.htm";
}
else
{
window.location="http://www.location.com/other.htm";
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Example
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function Warn() {
alert ("This is a warning message!"); document.write ("This
is a warning message!");
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button to see the result: </p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="Warn();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Confirmation Dialog Box
A confirmation dialog box is mostly used to take user's consent on any option. It displays a dialog box with two
buttons: Cancel.
If the user clicks on the OK button, the window method confirm() will return true. If the user clicks on the
Cancel button, then confirm() returns false. You can use a confirmation dialog box as follows.
Output
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function getConfirmation(){
var retVal = confirm("Do you want to continue ?"); if( retVal ==
true ){
document.write ("User wants to continue!");
return true;
}
else{
Document.write ("User does not want to continue!"); return false;
}
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button to see the result: </p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="getConfirmation();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example
The following example shows how to use a prompt dialog box −
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function getValue(){
var retVal = prompt("Enter your name : ", "your name here");
document.write("You have entered : " + retVal);
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following button to see the result: </p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="getValue();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Syntax
The syntax of void can be either of the following two −
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
void func()
javascript:void func()
or:
void(func())
javascript:void(func())
//-->
</script>
</head>
Example 1
The most common use of this operator is in a client-side javascript: URL, where it allows you to evaluate an
expression for its side-effects without the browser displaying the value of the evaluated expression.
Here the expression alert ('Warning!!!') is evaluated but it is not loaded back into the current document −
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example 2
Take a look at the following example. The following link does nothing because the expression "0" has no effect
in JavaScript. Here the expression "0" is evaluated, but it is not loaded back into the current document.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example 3
Another use of void is to purposely generate the undefined value as follows.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function getValue(){
var a,b,c;
a = void ( b = 5, c = 7 );
document.write('a = ' + a + ' b = ' + b +' c = ' + c );
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following to see the result:</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="getValue();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
The JavaScript print function window.print() prints the current web page when executed. You can call this
function directly using the onclick event as shown in the following example.
Example
Try the following example.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Print" onclick="window.print()" /> </form>
</body>
<html>
Output
Although it serves the purpose of getting a printout, it is not a recommended way. A printer friendly
page is really just a page with text, no images, graphics, or advertising.
You can make a page printer friendly in the following ways −
Make a copy of the page and leave out unwanted text and graphics, then link to that printer friendly
page from the original. Check Example.
If you do not want to keep an extra copy of a page, then you can mark your printable text using proper
comments like <!-- PRINT STARTS HERE -->..... <!-- PRINT ENDS HERE --> and
then you can use PERL or any other script in the background to purge printable text and display for final
printing. We at Tutorialspoint use this method to provide print facility to our site visitors. Check Example.
Inheritance − the capability of a class to rely upon another class (or number of classes) for some of its
properties and methods.
Polymorphism − the capability to write one function or method that works in a variety of different
ways.
Objects are composed of attributes. If an attribute contains a function, it is considered to be a method of
the object, otherwise the attribute is considered a property.
Object Properties
Object properties can be any of the three primitive data types, or any of the abstract data types, such as
another object. Object properties are usually variables that are used internally in the object's methods, but
can also be globally visible variables that are used throughout the page.
The syntax for adding a property to an object is −
objectName.objectProperty = propertyValue;
For example − The following code gets the document title using the "title" property of the document
object.
Object Methods
Methods are the functions that let the object do something or let something be done to it. There is a small
difference between a function and a method – at a function is a standalone unit of statements and a method is
attached to an object and can be referenced by the this keyword.
Methods are useful for everything from displaying the contents of the object to the screen to performing
complex mathematical operations on a group of local properties and parameters.
For example − Following is a simple example to show how to use the write() method of document
object to write any content on the document.
document.write("This is test");
User-Defined Objects
All user-defined objects and built-in objects are descendants of an object called Object.
Example 1
Try the following example; it demonstrates how to create an Object.
<html>
<head>
<title>User-defined objects</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
var book = new Object(); // Create the object
book.subject = "Perl"; // Assign properties to the object book.author =
"Mohtashim";
</script>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write("Book name is : " + book.subject + "<br>");
document.write("Book author is : " + book.author + "<br>"); </script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example 2
This example demonstrates how to create an object with a User -Defined Function. Here this keyword is
used to refer to the object that has been passed to a function.
<html>
<head>
<title>User-defined objects</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
function book(title, author){
this.title = title;
this.author = author;
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var myBook = new book("Perl", "Mohtashim");
document.write("Book title is : " + myBook.title + "<br>");
document.write("Book author is : " + myBook.author + "<br>"); </script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example
Try the following example; it shows how to add a function along with an object.
<html>
<head>
<title>User-defined objects</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
// Define a function which will work as a method function
addPrice(amount){
this.price = amount;
}
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var myBook = new book("Perl", "Mohtashim");
myBook.addPrice(100);
</body>
</html>
Output
The object specified as an argument to with becomes the default object for the duration of the block that
follows. The properties and methods for the object can be used without naming the object.
Syntax
The syntax for with object is as follows −
with (object){
properties used without the object name and dot
}
Example
Try the following example.
<html>
<head>
<title>User-defined objects</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
// Define a function which will work as a method function
addPrice(amount){
with(this){
price = amount;
}
}
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
var myBook = new book("Perl", "Mohtashim");
myBook.addPrice(100);
</body>
</html>
Output
Book title is : Perl
Book author is : Mohtashim
Book price is : 100
Syntax
The syntax for creating a number object is as follows −
In the place of number, if you provide any non-number argument, then the argument cannot be converted
into a number, it returns NaN (Not-a-Number).
Number Properties
Here is a list of each property and their description.
Property Description
A static property of the Number object. Use the prototype property to assign new
prototype properties and methods to the Number object in the current document
Returns the function that created this object's instance. By default this is the
constructor
Number object.
In the following sections, we will take a few examples to demonstrate the properties of Number.
Number Methods
The Number object contains only the default methods that are a part of every object's definition.
Method Description
Returns a string value version of the current number in a format that may
toLocaleString() vary according to a browser's local settings.
Defines how many total digits (including digits to the left and right of the
toPrecision() decimal) to display of a number.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to explain the methods of Number.
Syntax
Use the following syntax to create a boolean object.
Boolean Properties
Here is a list of the properties of Boolean object −
Property Description
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to illustrate the properties of Boolean object.
Boolean Methods
Here is a list of the methods of Boolean object and their description.
Method Description
Returns a string containing the source of the Boolean object; you can use
toSource() this string to create an equivalent object.
Returns a string of either "true" or "false" depending upon the value of the
toString() object.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of the Boolean methods.
Syntax
Use the following syntax to create a String object −
The String parameter is a series of characters that has been properly encoded.
String Properties
Here is a list of the properties of String object and their description.
Property Description
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of String properties.
String Methods
Here is a list of the methods available in String object along with their description.
Method Description
Returns the index within the calling String object of the first occurrence
indexOf() of the specified value, or -1 if not found.
Returns the index within the calling String object of the last occurrence
lastIndexOf() of the specified value, or -1 if not found.
Splits a String object into an array of strings by separating the string into
split() substrings.
Returns the characters in a string between two indexes into the string.
substring()
Method Description
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of String methods.
Syntax
Use the following syntax to create an Array object −
The Array parameter is a list of strings or integers. When you specify a single numeric parameter with the Array
constructor, you specify the initial length of the array. The maximum length allowed for an array is 4,294,967,295.
You can create array by simply assigning values as follows −
You will use ordinal numbers to access and to set values inside an array as follows.
Array Properties
Here is a list of the properties of the Array object along with their description.
Property Description
index The property represents the zero-based index of the match in the string
input This property is only present in arrays created by regular expression
matches.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to illustrate the usage of Array properties.
Array Methods
Here is a list of the methods of the Array object along with their description.
Method Description
Returns a new array comprised of this array joined with other array(s)
concat() and/or value(s).
Returns true if every element in this array satisfies the provided testing
every() function.
Creates a new array with all of the elements of this array for which the
filter() provided filtering function returns true.
Returns the last (greatest) index of an element within the array equal to the
lastIndexOf() specified value, or -1 if none is found.
Creates a new array with the results of calling a provided function on every
map() element in this array.
Removes the last element from an array and returns that element.
pop()
Adds one or more elements to the end of an array and returns the new
push() length of the array.
Apply a function simultaneously against two values of the array (from left-to-
reduce() right) as to reduce it to a single value.
Apply a function simultaneously against two values of the array (from right-
reduceRight() to-left) as to reduce it to a single value.
Reverses the order of the elements of an array -- the first becomes the last,
reverse() and the last becomes the first.
Removes the first element from an array and returns that element.
shift()
Returns true if at least one element in this array satisfies the provided
some() testing function.
Adds one or more elements to the front of an array and returns the new
unshift() length of the array.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of Array methods.
JJAVASCRIIPT -- THE DATE OBJJECT
The Date object is a datatype built into the JavaScript language. Date objects are created with the new Date( )
as shown below.
Once a Date object is created, a number of methods allow you to operate on it. Most methods simply allow you
to get and set the year, month, day, hour, minute, second, and millisecond fields of the object, using either
local time or UTC (universal, or GMT) time.
The ECMAScript standard requires the Date object to be able to represent any date and time, to millisecond
precision, within 100 million days before or after 1/1/1970. This is a range of plus or minus 273,785 years, so
JavaScript can represent date and time till the year 275755.
Syntax
You can use any of the following syntaxes to create a Date object using Date() constructor.
new Date( )
new Date(milliseconds)
new Date(datestring)
new Date(year,month,date[,hour,minute,second,millisecond ])
No Argument − With no arguments, the Date() constructor creates a Date object set to the current date
and time.
milliseconds − When one numeric argument is passed, it is taken as the internal numeric
representation of the date in milliseconds, as returned by the getTime() method. For example, passing
the argument 5000 creates a date that represents five seconds past midnight on 1/1/70.
datestring − When one string argument is passed, it is a string representation of a date, in the format
accepted by the Date.parse() method.
7 agruments − To use the last form of the constructor shown above. Here is a description of each
argument:
year − Integer value representing the year. For compatibility (in order to avoid the Y2K problem),
you should always specify the year in full; use 1998, rather than 98.
month − Integer value representing the month, beginning with 0 for January to 11 for December.
hour − Integer value representing the hour of the day (24-hour scale).
Date Properties
Here is a list of the properties of the Date object along with their description.
Property Description
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of different Date properties.
Date Methods
Here is a list of the methods used with Date and their description.
Method Description
Returns the day of the month for the specified date according to
getDate() local time.
Returns the day of the week for the specified date according to
getDay() local time.
Sets the day of the month for a specified date according to local
setDate() time.
Sets the full year for a specified date according to local time.
setFullYear()
Sets the full year for a specified date according to universal time.
setUTCFullYear()
Parses a string representation of a date and time and returns the internal
Date.parse( )
millisecond representation of that date.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usages of Date Static methods.
Syntax
The syntax to call the properties and methods of Math are as follows
Math Properties
Here is a list of all the properties of Math and their description.
Property Description
E\ Euler's constant and the base of natural logarithms, approximately 2.718.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of Math properties.
Math Methods
Here is a list of the methods associated with Math object and their description
Method Description
abs() Returns the absolute value of a number.
exp()
N
Returns E , where N is the argument, and E is Euler's constant, the base of
the natural logarithm.
floor() Returns the largest integer less than or equal to a number.
pow() Returns base to the exponent power, that is, base exponent.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of the methods associated
with Math.
The JavaScript RegExp class represents regular expressions, and both String and RegExp define methods
that use regular expressions to perform powerful pattern-matching and search-and-replace functions on text.
Syntax
A regular expression could be defined with the RegExp () constructor, as follows −
or simply
pattern − A string that specifies the pattern of the regular expression or another regular expression.
attributes − An optional string containing any of the "g", "i", and "m" attributes that specify global, case-
insensitive, and multiline matches, respectively.
Brackets
Brackets ([]) have a special meaning when used in the context of regular expressions. They are used to find
a range of characters.
Expression Description
The ranges shown above are general; you could also use the range [0-3] to match any decimal digit ranging
from 0 through 3, or the range [b-v] to match any lowercase character ranging from b through v.
Quantifiers
The frequency or position of bracketed character sequences and single characters can be denoted by a special
character. Each special character has a specific connotation. The +, *, ?, and $ flags all follow a character
sequence.
Expression Description
Examples
Following examples explain more about matching characters.
Expression Description
[^a-zA-Z] It matches any string not containing any of the characters ranging from a
through z and A through Z.
p.p It matches any string containing p, followed by any character, in turn followed by another p.
^.{2}$ It matches any string containing exactly two characters.
p(hp)* It matches any string containing a p followed by zero or more instances of the sequence
hp.
Literal characters
Character Description
Alphanumeric Itself
\t Tab (\u0009)
\n Newline (\u000A)
Metacharacters
A metacharacter is simply an alphabetical character preceded by a backslash that acts to give the combination
a special meaning.
For instance, you can search for a large sum of money using the '\d' metacharacter: /([\d]+)000/, Here \d will
search for any string of numerical character.
The following table lists a set of metacharacters which can be used in PERL Style Regular
Expressions.
Character Description
. a single character
\S non-whitespace character
\d a digit (0-9)
\D a non-digit
\W a non-word character
Modifiers
Several modifiers are available that can simplify the way you work with regexps, like case sensitivity,
searching in multiple lines, etc.
Modifier Description
m Specifies that if the string has newline or carriage return characters, the ^ and $ operators will
now match against a newline boundary, instead of a string boundary
g Performs a global matchthat is, find all matches rather than stopping after the first match.
RegExp Properties
Here is a list of the properties associated with RegExp and their description.
Property Description
constructor Specifies the function that creates an object's
prototype.
global Specifies if the "g" modifier is set.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of RegExp properties.
RegExp Methods
Here is a list of the methods associated with RegExp along with their description.
Method Description
exec() Executes a search for a match in its string parameter.
toSource() Returns an object literal representing the specified object; you can use this
value to create a new object.
toString() Returns a string representing the specified object.
In the following sections, we will have a few examples to demonstrate the usage of RegExp methods.
A Document object represents the HTML document that is displayed in that window. The Document object has
various properties that refer to other objects which allow access to and modification of document content.
The way a document content is accessed and modified is called the Document Object Model, or DOM. The
Objects are organized in a hierarchy. This hierarchical structure applies to the organization of objects in a Web
document.
Window object − Top of the hierarchy. It is the outmost element of the object hierarchy.
Document object − Each HTML document that gets loaded into a window becomes a document
object. The document contains the contents of the page.
Form object − Everything enclosed in the <form>...</form> tags sets the form object.
Form control elements − The form object contains all the elements defined for that object such as text
fields, buttons, radio buttons, and checkboxes.
Here is a simple hierarchy of a few important objects −
There are several DOMs in existence. The following sections explain each of these DOMs in detail and
describe how you can use them to access and modify document content.
The Legacy DOM − This is the model which was introduced in early versions of JavaScript language. It
is well supported by all browsers, but allows access only to certain key portions of documents, such as
forms, form elements, and images.
The W3C DOM − This document object model allows access and modification of all document content and
is standardized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This model is supported by almost all the
modern browsers.
The IE4 DOM − This document object model was introduced in Version 4 of Microsoft's Internet
Explorer browser. IE 5 and later versions include support for most basic W3C DOM features.
DOM compatibility
If you want to write a script with the flexibility to use either W3C DOM or IE 4 DOM depending on their
availability, then you can use a capability-testing approach that first checks for the existence of a method or
property to determine whether the browser has the capability you desire. For
example −
if (document.getElementById) {
// If the W3C method exists, use it
}
else if (document.all) {
// If the all[] array exists, use it
}
else {
// Otherwise use the legacy DOM
}
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
window.print(;
//-->
</script>
When a syntax error occurs in JavaScript, only the code contained within the same thread as the syntax error
is affected and the rest of the code in other threads gets executed assuming nothing in them depends on the
code containing the error.
Runtime Errors
Runtime errors, also called exceptions, occur during execution (after compilation/interpretation).
For example, the following line causes a runtime error because here the syntax is correct, but at runtime, it is
trying to call a method that does not exist.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
window.printme();
//-->
</script>
Exceptions also affect the thread in which they occur, allowing other JavaScript threads to continue normal
execution.
Logical Errors
Logic errors can be the most difficult type of errors to track down. These errors are not the result of a syntax or
runtime error. Instead, they occur when you make a mistake in the logic that drives your script and you do not
get the result you expected.
You cannot catch those errors, because it depends on your business requirement what type of logic you
want to put in your program.
The try...catch...finally Statement
The latest versions of JavaScript added exception handling capabilities. JavaScript implements the
try...catch...finally construct as well as the throw operator to handle exceptions.
You can catch programmer-generated and runtime exceptions, but you cannot catch JavaScript syntax errors.
Here is the try...catch...finally block syntax −
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
try {
// Code to run
[break;]
}
catch ( e ) {
// Code to run if an exception occurs [break;]
[ finally {
// Code that is always executed regardless of
// an exception occurring
}]
//-->
</script>
The try block must be followed by either exactly one catch block or one finally block (or one of both). When an
exception occurs in the try block, the exception is placed in e and the catch block is executed. The optional
finally block executes unconditionally after try/catch.
Examples
Here is an example where we are trying to call a non-existing function which in turn is raising an exception.
Let us see how it behaves without try...catch−
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function myFunc()
{
var a = 100;
alert("Value of variable a is : " + a );
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following to see the result:</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="myFunc();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Now let us try to catch this exception using try...catch and display a user-friendly message. You can also
suppress this message, if you want to hide this error from a user.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function myFunc()
{
var a = 100;
try {
alert("Value of variable a is : " + a );
}
catch ( e ) {
alert("Error: " + e.description );
}
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following to see the result:</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="myFunc();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
You can use finally block which will always execute unconditionally after the try/catch. Here is an example.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function myFunc()
{
var a = 100;
try {
alert("Value of variable a is : " + a );
}
catch ( e ) {
alert("Error: " + e.description );
}
finally {
alert("Finally block will always execute!" );
}
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following to see the result:</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="myFunc();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Example
The following example demonstrates how to use a throw statement.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function myFunc()
{
var a = 100;
var b = 0;
try{
if ( b == 0 ){
throw( "Divide by zero error." );
}
else
{
var c = a / b;
}
}
catch ( e ) {
alert("Error: " + e );
}
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following to see the result:</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="myFunc();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
You can raise an exception in one function using a string, integer, Boolean, or an object and then you can
capture that exception either in the same function as we did above, or in another function using a try...catch
block.
The onerror() Method
The onerror event handler was the first feature to facilitate error handling in JavaScript. The error event is fired
on the window object whenever an exception occurs on the page.
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
window.onerror = function () {
alert("An error occurred.");
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following to see the result:</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="myFunc();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
The onerror event handler provides three pieces of information to identify the exact nature of the error −
Error message − The same message that the browser would display for the given error URL − The
Line number− The line number in the given URL that caused the error Here is the
Example
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
window.onerror = function (msg, url, line) {
alert("Message : " + msg );
alert("url : " + url );
alert("Line number : " + line );
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Click the following to see the result:</p>
<form>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="myFunc();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
You can display extracted information in whatever way you think it is better.
You can use an onerror method, as shown below, to display an error message in case there is any problem in
loading an image.
You can use onerror with many HTML tags to display appropriate messages in case of errors.
JavaScript provides a way to validate form's data on the client's computer before sending it to the web server.
Form validation generally performs two functions.
Basic Validation − First of all, the form must be checked to make sure all the mandatory fields are
filled in. It would require just a loop through each field in the form and check for data.
Data Format Validation − Secondly, the data that is entered must be checked for correct form and
value. Your code must include appropriate logic to test correctness of data.
Example
We will take an example to understand the process of validation. Here is a simple form in html format.
<html>
<head>
<title>Form Validation</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
// Form validation code will come here.
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form action="/cgi-bin/test.cgi" name="myForm" onsubmit="return(validate());"> <table
cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="1">
<tr>
<td align="right">Name</td>
<td><input type="text" name="Name" /></td> </tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">EMail</td>
<td><input type="text" name="EMail" /></td> </tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">Zip Code</td>
<td><input type="text" name="Zip" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">Country</td>
<td>
<select name="Country">
<option value="-1" selected>[choose yours]</option> <option
value="1">USA</option> <option value="2">UK</option>
<option value="3">INDIA</option>
</select>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right"></td>
<td><input type="submit" value="Submit" /></td> </tr>
</table>
</form>
</body>
</html>
Output
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
// Form validation code will come here. function
validate()
{
The following example shows how to validate an entered email address. An email address must contain at
least a ‘@’ sign and a dot (.). Also, the ‘@’ must not be the first character of the email address, and the last
dot must at least be one character after the ‘@’ sign.
Example
Try the following code for email validation.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function validateEmail()
{
var emailID = document.myForm.EMail.value;
atpos = emailID.indexOf("@");
dotpos = emailID.lastIndexOf(".");
JJAVASCRIIPT -- ANIIMATIION
You can use JavaScript to create a complex animation having, but not limited to, the following elements −
Fireworks
Fade Effect
Roll-in or Roll-out
Page-in or Page-out
Object movements
You might be interested in existing JavaScript based animation library: Script.Aculo.us.
This tutorial provides a basic understanding of how to use JavaScript to create an animation.
JavaScript can be used to move a number of DOM elements (<img />, <div> or any other HTML element)
around the page according to some sort of pattern determined by a logical equation or function.
JavaScript provides the following two functions to be frequently used in animation programs.
setTimeout( function, duration) − This function calls function after duration milliseconds
from now.
setInterval(function, duration) − This function calls function after every duration milliseconds.
clearTimeout(setTimeout_variable) − This function calls clears any timer set by the setTimeout()
functions.
JavaScript can also set a number of attributes of a DOM object including its position on the screen. You can set
top and left attribute of an object to position it anywhere on the screen. Here is its syntax.
or
Manual Animation
So let's implement one simple animation using DOM object properties and JavaScript functions as follows. The
following list contains different DOM methods.
We are using the JavaScript function getElementById() to get a DOM object and then assigning it
to a global variable imgObj.
We have defined an initialization function init() to initialize imgObj where we have set its position and
left attributes.
We are calling initialization function at the time of window load.
Finally, we are calling moveRight() function to increase the left distance by 10 pixels. You could also
set it to a negative value to move it to the left side.
Example
Try the following example.
<html>
<head>
<title>JavaScript Animation</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var imgObj = null;
function init(){
imgObj = document.getElementById('myImage');
imgObj.style.position= 'relative';
imgObj.style.left = '0px';
}
function moveRight(){
imgObj.style.left = parseInt(imgObj.style.left) + 10 + 'px';
}
window.onload =init;
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form>
<img />
<p>Click button below to move the image to right</p>
<input type="button" value="Click Me" onclick="moveRight();" /> </form>
</body>
</html>
Output
Automated Animation
In the above example, we saw how an image moves to right with every click. We can automate this process by
using the JavaScript function setTimeout() as follows −
Here we have added more methods. So let's see what is new here −
The moveRight() function is calling setTimeout() function to set the position of imgObj.
We have added a new function stop() to clear the timer set by setTimeout() function and to set the object
at its initial position.
Example
Try the following example code.
<html>
<head>
<title>JavaScript Animation</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var imgObj = null;
var animate ;
function init(){
imgObj = document.getElementById('myImage');
imgObj.style.position= 'relative';
imgObj.style.left = '0px';
}
function moveRight(){
imgObj.style.left = parseInt(imgObj.style.left) + 10 + 'px'; animate =
setTimeout(moveRight,20); // call moveRight in 20msec
}
function stop(){
clearTimeout(animate);
imgObj.style.left = '0px';
}
window.onload =init;
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form>
<img />
<p>Click the buttons below to handle animation</p>
<input type="button" value="Start" onclick="moveRight();" /> <input
type="button" value="Stop" onclick="stop();" />
</form>
</body>
</html>
At the time of loading this page, the ‘if’ statement checks for the existence of the image object. If the
image object is unavailable, this block will not be executed.
The Image() constructor creates and preloads a new image object called image1.
The src property is assigned the name of the external image file called /images/html.gif.
Similarly, we have created image2 object and assigned /images/http.gif in this object.
The # (hash mark) disables the link so that the browser does not try to go to a URL when clicked.
This link is an image.
The onMouseOver event handler is triggered when the user's mouse moves onto the link, and the
onMouseOut event handler is triggered when the user's mouse moves away from the link (image).
When the mouse moves over the image, the HTTP image changes from the first image to the second one.
When the mouse is moved away from the image, the original image is displayed.
When the mouse is moved away from the link, the initial image html.gif will reappear on the screen.
<html>
<head>
<title>Rollover with a Mouse Events</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
if(document.images){
var image1 = new Image(); // Preload an image image1.src
= "/images/html.gif";
var image2 = new Image(); // Preload second image image2.src
= "/images/http.gif";
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<p>Move your mouse over the image to see the result</p>
</body>
</html>
JJAVASCRIIPT -- MULTIIMEDIIA
The JavaScript navigator object includes a child object called plugins. This object is an array, with one entry
for each plug-in installed on the browser. The navigator.plugins object is supported only by Netscape, Firefox,
and Mozilla only.
Example
Here is an example that shows how to list down all the plug-on installed in your browser −
<html>
<head>
<title>List of Plug-Ins</title>
</head>
<body>
<table border="1">
<tr>
<th>Plug-in Name</th>
<th>Filename</th>
<th>Description</th>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
</html>
Output
filename − is the executable file that was loaded to install the plug-in.
mimeTypes − is an array with one entry for each MIME type supported by the plug-in.
You can use these properties in a script to find out the installed plug-ins, and then using JavaScript, you can
play appropriate multimedia file. Take a look at the following example.
<html>
<head>
<title>Using Plug-Ins</title>
</head>
<body>
if (media){
document.write("<embed src='quick.mov' height=100 width=100>");
}
else
{
document.write("<img src='quick.gif' height=100 width=100>");
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
NOTE − Here we are using HTML <embed> tag to embed a multimedia file.
Controlling Multimedia
Let us take one real example which works in almost all the browsers −
<html>
<head>
<title>Using Embeded Object</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function play()
{
if (!document.demo.IsPlaying()){
document.demo.Play();
}
}
function stop()
{
if (document.demo.IsPlaying()){
document.demo.StopPlay();
}
}
function rewind()
{
if (document.demo.IsPlaying()){
document.demo.StopPlay();
}
document.demo.Rewind();
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<embed
src="http://www.amrood.com/games/kumite.swf"
width="318" height="300" play="false" loop="false"
pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"
swliveconnect="true">
</embed>
</body>
</html>
Output
If you are using Mozilla, Firefox or Netscape, then
JJAVASCRIIPT -- DEBUGGIING
Every now and then, developers commit mistakes while coding. A mistake in a program or a script is referred to
as a bug.
The process of finding and fixing bugs is called debugging and is a normal part of the development process.
This section covers tools and techniques that can help you with debugging tasks..
Error Messages in IE
The most basic way to track down errors is by turning on error information in your browser. By default, Internet
Explorer shows an error icon in the status bar when an error occurs on the page.
Double-clicking this icon takes you to a dialog box showing information about the specific error that occurred.
Since this icon is easy to overlook, Internet Explorer gives you the option to automatically show the Error dialog
box whenever an error occurs.
To enable this option, select Tools → Internet Options → Advanced tab. and then finally check the "Display
a Notification About Every Script Error" box option as shown below −
Error Notifications
Error notifications that show up on Console or through Internet Explorer dialog boxes are the result of both
syntax and runtime errors. These error notification include the line number at which the error occurred.
If you are using Firefox, then you can click on the error available in the error console to go to the exact line in
the script having error.
How to debug a Script
There are various ways to debug your JavaScript −
The most convenient validator for JavaScript is Douglas Crockford's JavaScript Lint, which is available
for free at Douglas Crockford's JavaScript Lint.
Simply visit that web page, paste your JavaScript (Only JavaScript) code into the text area provided, and click
the jslint button. This program will parse through your JavaScript code, ensuring that all the variable and function
definitions follow the correct syntax. It will also check JavaScript statements, such as if and while, to ensure they
too follow the correct format
if( debugging )
alert( "Calls swapImage() with argument: " + whichImage ); var swapStatus
= swapImage( whichImage );
if( debugging )
alert( "Exits swapImage() with swapStatus=" + swapStatus );
By examining the content and order of the alert() as they appear, you can examine the health of your program
very easily.
The latest version of the Mozilla JavaScript Debugger (code-named Venkman) for both Mozilla and Netscape
browsers can be downloaded at http://www.hacksrus.com/~ginda/venkman
Useful tips for developers
You can keep the following tips in mind to reduce the number of errors in your scripts and simplify the
debugging process −
Use plenty of comments. Comments enable you to explain why you wrote the script the way you did and
to explain particularly difficult sections of code.
Always use indentation to make your code easy to read. Indenting statements also makes it easier for
you to match up beginning and ending tags, curly braces, and other HTML and script elements.
Write modular code. Whenever possible, group your statements into functions. Functions let you group
related statements, and test and reuse portions of code with minimal effort.
Be consistent in the way you name your variables and functions. Try using names that are long enough
to be meaningful and that describe the contents of the variable or the purpose of the function.
Use consistent syntax when naming variables and functions. In other words, keep them all lowercase
or all uppercase; if you prefer Camel-Back notation, use it consistently.
Test long scripts in a modular fashion. In other words, do not try to write the entire script before
testing any portion of it. Write a piece and get it to work before adding the next portion of code.
Use descriptive variable and function names and avoid using single-character names.
Watch your quotation marks. Remember that quotation marks are used in pairs around strings and
that both quotation marks must be of the same style (either single or double).
Watch your equal signs. You should not used a single = for comparison purpose.
The image that is going to form the map is inserted into the page using the <img /> element as normal, except
that it carries an extra attribute called usemap. The value of the usemap attribute is the value of the name
attribute on the <map> element, which you are about to meet, preceded by a pound or hash sign.
The <map> element actually creates the map for the image and usually follows directly after the <img />
element. It acts as a container for the <area /> elements that actually define the clickable hotspots. The <map>
element carries only one attribute, the name attribute, which is the name that identifies the map. This is how
the <img /> element knows which <map> element to use.
The <area> element specifies the shape and the coordinates that define the boundaries of each clickable
hotspot.
The following code combines imagemaps and JavaScript to produce a message in a text box when the mouse
is moved over different parts of an image.
<html>
<head>
<title>Using JavaScript Image Map</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
function showTutorial(name){
document.myform.stage.value = name
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body>
<form name="myform">
<input type="text" name="stage" size="20" /> </form>
<map name="tutorials">
<area shape="poly"
coords="74,0,113,29,98,72,52,72,38,27"
href="/perl/index.htm" alt="Perl Tutorial"
target="_self"
onMouseOver="showTutorial('perl')"
onMouseOut="showTutorial('')"/>
<area shape="rect"
coords="22,83,126,125"
href="/html/index.htm" alt="HTML Tutorial"
target="_self"
onMouseOver="showTutorial('html')"
onMouseOut="showTutorial('')"/>
<area shape="circle"
coords="73,168,32"
href="/php/index.htm" alt="PHP Tutorial"
target="_self"
onMouseOver="showTutorial('php')"
onMouseOut="showTutorial('')"/>
</map>
</body>
</html>
Output
You can feel the map concept by placing the mouse cursor on the image object.
JJAVASCRIIPT -- BROWSERS COMPATIIBIILIITY
It is important to understand the differences between different browsers in order to handle each in the way it is
expected. So it is important to know which browser your web page is running in.
To get information about the browser your webpage is currently running in, use the built-in navigator
object.
Navigator Properties
There are several Navigator related properties that you can use in your Web page. The following is a list of the
names and descriptions of each.
1
appCodeName
This property is a string that contains the code name of the browser, Netscape for Netscape
and Microsoft Internet Explorer for Internet Explorer.
2
appVersion
This property is a string that contains the version of the browser as well as other useful information
such as its language and compatibility.
3
language
This property contains the two-letter abbreviation for the language that is used by the browser.
Netscape only.
4
mimTypes[]
This property is an array that contains all MIME types supported by the client. Netscape only.
5
platform[]
This property is a string that contains the platform for which the browser was
compiled."Win32" for 32-bit Windows operating systems
6
plugins[]
This property is an array containing all the plug-ins that have been installed on the client.
Netscape only.
7
userAgent[]
This property is a string that contains the code name and version of the browser. This value is
sent to the originating server to identify the client.
Navigator Methods
There are several Navigator-specific methods. Here is a list of their names and descriptions.
Sr.No Description
1
javaEnabled()
This method determines if JavaScript is enabled in the client. If JavaScript is enabled, this
method returns true; otherwise, it returns false.
2
plugings.refresh
This method makes newly installed plug-ins available and populates the plugins array with all new
plug-in names. Netscape only.
3
preference(name,value)
This method allows a signed script to get and set some Netscape preferences. If the second
parameter is omitted, this method will return the value of the specified preference; otherwise, it
sets the value. Netscape only.
4
taintEnabled()
This method returns true if data tainting is enabled; false otherwise.
Browser Detection
There is a simple JavaScript which can be used to find out the name of a browser and then
accordingly an HTML page can be served to the user.
<html>
<head>
<title>Browser Detection Example</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
var userAgent = navigator.userAgent;
var opera = (userAgent.indexOf('Opera') != -1);
var ie = (userAgent.indexOf('MSIE') != -1);
var gecko = (userAgent.indexOf('Gecko') != -1);
var netscape = (userAgent.indexOf('Mozilla') != -1);
var version = navigator.appVersion;
if (opera){
document.write("Opera based browser");
// Keep your opera specific URL here.
}
else if (gecko){
document.write("Mozilla based browser");
// Keep your gecko specific URL here.
}
else if (ie){
document.write("IE based browser");
// Keep your IE specific URL here.
}
else if (netscape){
document.write("Netscape based browser");
// Keep your Netscape specific URL here.
}
else{
document.write("Unknown browser");
}
// You can include version to along with any above condition.
document.write("<br /> Browser version info : " + version );
//-->
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output