Reading CSV file into javascript string or array

Question

I'm having a very specific problem so I hope someone can help. I'm building a map app with a CakePHP backend framework. I'm currently attempting to import some data into my application for manipulation, I have a google docs CSV file (i also have a local version) and I'm also using an custom js library. So i have a declaration that goes like so:

mapbox.markers.layer().csv('csvstring');

csvstring equates to a standard string of CSV data, i looked at some examples on the mapbox website but all had hardcoded data, e.g. csvstring = 'lat,lon\n,0,0';

Is there a simple way to read either the google doc, or read the file from my CakePHP directory, into a string variable or, failing that, an array? I've scoured the internet for days and haven't been able to find a solution. If its possible to let PHP do the dirty work and then pass the string to a js var then that would be great also. In the end it must be a string, or an array of strings.

I've seen a lot of people recommending getting familiar with the Google Docs API, but really, I'm a nooby with both CakePHP and javascript and its taken a lot of work to get this far, my head is full to bursting point and I just dont think i'll be able for another big reading session, time is running out on my project. Also, dont assume I know ANYTHING, a complete idiots response would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

tmcw · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-15 20:47:40Z

0

use reqwest: here's a working example of loading a separate csv file.

answered Aug 15, 2012 at 20:47

tmcw

12k3 gold badges38 silver badges45 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Andy Hill · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-14 11:54:22Z

0

If the file is local to the where your application is being served (is on the same server), you can use simple PHP file I/O.

<?php
$filename = "/YOUR/FILE/URL/HERE.csv";
$file = fopen( $filename, "r" );
if( $file == false ) {
    echo "Error!";
    exit();
}
$csv_string = fread( $file, $filesize );
fclose( $file );
?>

mapbox.markers.layer().csv("<?php echo $csv_string; ?>");
//Make sure you put the quotes around the php tag. Otherwise the JavaScript will not recognize it as a string.

(Derived heavily from http://www.tutorialspoint.com/php/php_files.htm). I hope this is what you're looking for.

answered Aug 14, 2012 at 11:54

Andy Hill

3161 silver badge5 bronze badges

1 Comment

mplungjan Over a year ago

Does not have to be on the same server. PHP can be used as proxy and can read the file from the web too

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Reading CSV file into javascript string or array

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related