Execute browser page/javascript from a script/command-line

Question

Hope this isnt a stupid question.
I have recently had an idea about something which I am very curious about.
I am a fan of Node.js (not really relevent here I think) and the V8 engine but I was wondering if its possible to run a browser (get it to execute JS) but INTERNALLY.

What I mean by that is to create a program (possibly using the V8 engine) which can open a page (as if in the browser) and execute its javascript.

For instance say I have the below file hosted on www.mysite.co.uk/home.php

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<script>
function myFunction()
{
//javascript AJAX call to www.mysite.co.uk/ping.php
}
myFunction();
</script>
</head>

<body>
</body>
</html>

And ping.php looks something like:

<?php
//connect mysql, database ping and table ping
//it is a single column table with integer value starting on 0
//increment by 1 and update the table

Say I wanted to get the Javascript to execute by using some sort of script on my command line/linux box (essentially WITHOUT using a browser).

So something like:

./mybrowser http://www.mysite.co.uk/home.php

or even:

./mybrowser home.php

I feel like it should be possible as the V8 (or different JS engine) should technically be able to execute Javascript but I havnt the foggiest how it could do so out of a browser context (or even if its possible).

Any ideas?

yes a couple of google searches and could not find this...looks just the think....will give it a try and update ticket...thanks alot — Craig Taub
– Craig Taub, Commented Feb 28, 2013 at 9:27

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:49:19Z

5

You can use any js engine to run js scripts as long as they do not rely on the DOM.

You could start by looking at:

Running V8 Javascript Engine Standalone

Edit: as I understand you want a headless browser, here are some:

HTMLUnit (I use that one for unit testing)
PhantomJS
Zombie.js

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:49

CommunityBot

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answered Feb 28, 2013 at 9:25

Christophe Roussy

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5 Comments

Craig Taub Over a year ago

standalone seems to be JS from command line...i need it to be able to do everything a browser can do but without a browser...thanks anyway

Christophe Roussy Over a year ago

doing everything that a browser can do sounds a lot like you will end up needing a browser, so you mean like a browser but without the window/UI ?

Craig Taub Over a year ago

yes, so a script can open/execute a website many times over and produce same results as if a user was...it can be very useful for a lot of things commercial and personal

Christophe Roussy Over a year ago

ah I see, I updated my answer accordingly, I use something similar like this myself for unit tests

ansebbian0 Over a year ago

Phantom.js is currently dead (github.com/ariya/phantomjs/issues/15344) for new development.

Sagar Kadam · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-28 09:27:07Z

0

Running JavaScript on the command line by using either Rhino for Java or Windows Script Host.

http://www.mozilla.org/rhino/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/9bbdkx3k%28VS.85%29.aspx

answered Feb 28, 2013 at 9:27

Sagar Kadam

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2 Comments

Craig Taub Over a year ago

hmm rather not using Java and dont trust anything microsoft come out with lol...sorry but think im going to go with PhantomJS @Teemu has mentioned

Sagar Kadam Over a year ago

Ok this was just another way. Good you got answer :)

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