Introduction to Server-side JavaScript | 2 | WebReference

Introduction to Server-side JavaScript | 2


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Introduction to Server-side JavaScript [con't]

Coding for Jaxer

To tell the server where to execute the code, you need to add the runat attribute to <script> blocks. This attribute has several possible values, as follows:

  • client: The code will run in the client's browser, just like regular JavaScript. This is the default value of the runat attribute, so you can omit it for script blocks intended for the client.
  • server: The code will run on the server. Furthermore, any functions defined within the script block will be cached in association with the page. These functions will not be callable from the client, as only script output is sent to the browser, but they can be called during callback processing by other server-side functions.
  • both: The code will run on both the client and the server. However, any functions defined within the script block will still be cached in association with the page so that they are not directly accessible to the client, but they can be called during callback processing by other server-side functions.

Some special Function object properties can be declared on individual functions to control how they are managed. These can be used to override the containing script block runat setting for the individual function, thus allowing for more granular control. For instance, server-side functions can be declared proxied so they are callable from the client side. This is achieved by specifying a proxy property on the function object. The possible values for this property are true or false:

The code above groups similar functionality together, while allowing the getClientID() function to override the default runat="server" behavior so that it can be called from the client. This is possible because the runat attribute is present. In client scripts with no runat attribute, the option of programmatically changing it by setting a different runat or proxy value is not available.

Alternatively, the Jaxer namespace provides a useful convenient proxie property to allow the proxy functions to be declared in a single group within your JavaScript code. It is an Array object, so functions can be assigned using any format or functions that are common to arrays:



Back in the "Debugging JavaScript: Beyond Alerts" article, I stated that we will be looking at some popular JavaScript debuggers and IDEs in up-coming pieces. In the next installment, we will be taking a look at the first of these: the Aptana Studio IDE. We'll be using it to build a simple file-based blog for Jaxer.

Rob Gravelle combined his love of programming and music to become a software guru and accomplished guitar player. He created systems that are used by Canada Border Services, CSIS and other Intelligence-related organizations. As a software consultant, Rob has developed Web applications for many businesses and recently created a MooTools version of PHPFreechat for ViziMetrics. Musically, Rob recently embarked on a solo music career, after playing with Ivory Knight since 2000. That band was rated as one Canada's top bands by Brave Words magazine (issue #92) and released two CDs. Rob's latest, entitled KNIGHTFALL, was a collaboration between himself, the former Ivory Knight vocalist, and legendary guitarist/producer, Jeff Waters of Annihilator fame. Rob is available for short-term software projects and recording session work. to inquire, but note that, due to the volume of emails received, he cannot respond to every email. Potential jobs and praise receive highest priority!

Original: July 9, 2009


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