Android - Use WebView to evaluate a javascript string and return the value

Question

Given that scripting is not natively supported in Android and wrapping libraries like javax.script.ScriptEngine into your app will make it too large, is it possible to send a javascript string to an invisible WebView and have it evaluate the string and return you the results (another string)?

I want to go this route because I want to save all my scripts to disk so my app can remain small.

Edit

I need Java code to evaluate javascript strings not the other way around. addJavascriptInterface() doesn't help.

How is the javascript going to going to see your program in order to act upon it? Just executing scripts in a vacuum isn't going to do much good. — Josh Lee
– Josh Lee, Commented Dec 2, 2009 at 16:12

CommonsWare · Accepted Answer · 2009-12-01 18:31:41Z

6

Can it be done? Yes, via addJavascriptInterface() and sending the browser a javascript: URL, akin to a bookmarklet.

A far simpler answer, one that will use much less memory and will execute much faster, is to not use Javascript.

answered Dec 1, 2009 at 18:31

CommonsWare

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2 Comments

Tawani Over a year ago

I don't think addJavascriptInterface() will return a String value

CommonsWare Over a year ago

addJavascriptInterface() lets Javascript code call Java code, and Javascript should be able to pass a String parameter to said Java code.

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