Render javascript file, while making it available as a static file

Question

I have a javascript file accessed from a url like "/js/someFile.js". However I would like Yii to render the javascript file when it has been requested so I can include relevant data in it e.g. a parsed list from a database table.

I understand that one solution is to simply have the file static, and request the data from the server on initialization, however I was hoping to not do this.

Does anyone know how to achieve this without putting the JS inline in the current view? Or any reason why this is a terrible idea?

Thanks to all who answered.

andy
– andy

2013-04-23 00:37:40 +00:00
Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 0:37 — andy
– andy, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 0:37

Michael Härtl · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-22 07:36:40Z

1

You could render a view as Twisted1919 showed. But i indeed think it's not a good idea to render javascript through Yii. Your question already implies, that the javascript file is almost static. So treat it as a static file so that your webserver can serve it which is much faster. And it's easier to cache this file on the clientside.

Then as you suggested try to write it in a way, that you only have to pass the dynamic parts as parameters to your javascript. You don't have to request that data from the server as you implied, though. You can add the configuration inline to your page:

<?php
$data = json_encode(array(
    'userId'    => Yii::app()->user->id,
    'whatever'  => $someThing,
));
Yii::app()->clientScript->registerScriptFile('my.js');
Yii::app()->clientScript->registerScript(
    'initJs',
    "myJs.init($data)", 
    CClientScript::POS_READY
);
?>

answered Apr 22, 2013 at 7:36

Michael Härtl

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1 Comment

andy Over a year ago

This is a useful little part of Yii's asset management that I didn't know about, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Twisted1919 · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-22 04:48:54Z

1

You can have a special controller called js or javascript and call it instead of calling static js files :

class JsController extends Controller{
   public function init() {
       header('Content-Type: application/javascript');
   }

   public function actionSome_action(){
      $this->render('some_action_view_file');
   }
}

You can even define a rewrite rule for it so that you can have the .js extension for your url.

Next, from your controllers, say:

class SiteController extends Controller {
   public function actionIndex() {
      // register the script
      Yii::app()->clientScript->registerScriptFile($this->createUrl('js/some_action'));
      // do other things here...
   }
}

answered Apr 22, 2013 at 4:48

Twisted1919

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2 Comments

andy Over a year ago

If this this is something I'm doing a lot, then you're right, as this is the most flexible and extensible way to achieve this. I accepted the other answer not because of "correctness", but due to my particular question. Thanks for your help.

Twisted1919 Over a year ago

@andy - no problem at all, glad you found a solution that works for you, this is all that matters. Maybe in the future my idea will also help you ;) It's good to have alternatives :)

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