Link to Function

[Dennis M. Marks]

I have seen partial answers to the following question but I am not sure
of the best approach. I have a page that will only work with
javascript. The link to the page indicates that.

Within the page I have a clickable link to a function. The best html
for that process seems to be:
<a href="xxx" onclick="TheFun ction(); return false">CLICK HERE</a>

I assume the "return false" causes the href to be ignored but the
function will be called. Since the page is only accessed with
javascript there is no need for a url. Is there some kind of dummy
entry that can be used in place of xxx or is that ok? It seems
unnecessary to create a page that will never be accesssed.

Is this the only way to link to a function from a link?

--
Dennis M. Marks


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[Thomas 'PointedEars' Lahn]

Re: Link to Function

Dennis M. Marks wrote:
[color=blue]
> I have seen partial answers to the following question but I am not sure
> of the best approach. I have a page that will only work with
> javascript. The link to the page indicates that.
>
> Within the page I have a clickable link to a function. The best html
> for that process seems to be:
> <a href="xxx" onclick="TheFun ction(); return false">CLICK HERE</a>
>
> I assume the "return false" causes the href to be ignored but the
> function will be called.[/color]

Correct. The `return false' cancels the `click' event, so the
element is no longer considered interactive in this way after
the script engine has finished processing the expressions.
[color=blue]
> Since the page is only accessed with javascript[/color]

How can you be sure?
[color=blue]
> there is no need for a url.[/color]

Well, there is, otherwise it is not a hyperlink and you
should use another control. Why not input[type="button"]?
[color=blue]
> Is there some kind of dummy entry that can be used in place of
> xxx[/color]

You could use `#' but you will append to the history of the user
that accidentally gets there without having client-side JavaScript
support (enabled).
[color=blue]
> or is that ok?[/color]

OK would be a hyperlink to a document that explains why the feature
requires client-side scripting if it is not supported.
[color=blue]
> It seems unnecessary to create a page that will never be accesssed.[/color]

Well, that depends.
[color=blue]
> Is this the only way to link to a function from a link?[/color]

It is not, but it is the best one. Read the FAQ.


PointedEars

[Lasse Reichstein Nielsen]

Re: Link to Function

"Dennis M. Marks" <denmarks@dcsi. net> writes:
[color=blue]
> Within the page I have a clickable link to a function. The best html
> for that process seems to be:
> <a href="xxx" onclick="TheFun ction(); return false">CLICK HERE</a>
>
> I assume the "return false" causes the href to be ignored but the
> function will be called. Since the page is only accessed with
> javascript there is no need for a url. Is there some kind of dummy
> entry that can be used in place of xxx or is that ok?[/color]

A link, as made with <a href="..."> is meant to link to another
page or resource. If you don't link to one, you shouldn't use
a link. If you just want something to push, use a button, that's
what they are made for:
<input type="button" value="CLICK HERE" onclick="TheFun ction()">

If you insist on using a link, the most harmless href you can use
is
href=""
The empty string is a valid URL fragment, and it should refer
to the page itself. Older browser might get confuzed, though.
[color=blue]
> It seems unnecessary to create a page that will never be accesssed.[/color]

The don't make a link.
[color=blue]
> Is this the only way to link to a function from a link?[/color]

If you insist on using a link, it is the best way. If anybody mentions
"javascript:The Function()" then ignore it. The "javascript :" URL scheme
should generally be avoided in web pages, as there are always better
ways to achieve what you need.
/L
--
Lasse Reichstein Nielsen - lrn@hotpop.com
DHTML Death Colors: <URL:http://www.infimum.dk/HTML/rasterTriangleD OM.html>
'Faith without judgement merely degrades the spirit divine.'