Execute javascript on href

Question

I have an asp website and am trying to automatically generate some javascript. I have an ashx file that generates the javascript and then I would like to like to this javascript in a href. I have seen it done on other websites but can't work out how its done.

The ashx file called 'Hello.ashx' outputs something like

alert("Hello World");

I am trying to execute this as below

<a href="Hello.ashx">Text</a>

How is this done? Is is actually possible or are other websites using some trick?

Your help is greatly appreciated

Abdullah Jibaly · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-01 20:06:54Z

3

You want to load the javascript file when the anchor is clicked:

function loadjs() {
    var head = document.getElementsByTagName('head');
    var s = document.createElement('script');
    s.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
    s.setAttribute('src', 'Hello.ashx');
    head[0].appendChild(s);
    return false;
}

<a href="javascript: loadjs()">Text</a>

If you're using jQuery a better approach is:

<a href="Hello.ashx" id="hello">Text</a>

$(function(){ $('#hello').click(loadjs); });

To load it once:

var _myscript = null;
function loadjs() {
    if (_myscript != null) return false;
    _myscript = document.createElement('script');
    //...
}

edited Jun 1, 2011 at 20:06

answered Jun 1, 2011 at 18:13

Abdullah Jibaly

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