Can I call javascript from an external file?

[buecker]

I really like using this script:

http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamicindex14/image4.htm

However, to make matters easier, can I run this script calling it from an external file?

I've tried doing this and it doesn't work for me. I'm looking for an easier way to make changes to the pictures that rotate.

Thanks

[molendijk]

<script type="text/javascript">
importJS=function(url){
document.write('<script src="' + url +'" type="text/javascript"><\/script>');
}
document.onload=importJS('first_external.js'),importJS('second_external.js');
</script>

etc.
Or, using the DOM:
http://www.naarvoren.nl/zijlijn/nieu...oor_javascript
(But that's in Dutch).
===
Arie Molendijk.

[buecker]

Thanks for your help. I will try this out later today. What's the dutch site for?


I figured after messing with it for 8 hours it was time to ask for help.

[molendijk]

Forget about the Dutch site. It doesn't allow scrolling (anymore).
===
Arie.

[jscheuer1]

You don't need an additional script to use an external script, just follow these guidelines:

Use a text editor to save the script, call it 'file_name.js' where 'file_name' can be any valid file name of your choosing. Substitute the name of your external .js file for some.js in the below:

<script src="some.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Common problems arise when:

1 ) The script file is not in the directory specified. In the above example it must be in the same directory as the page(s) that use it. Below, it can be in the scripts directory off of the root of a domain:

<script src="http://www.somedomain.com/scripts/some.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

2 ) Opening, closing and/or 'hiding' tags are left in the external file. This means that you must strip:

<script>
<!--

and

//-->
</script>

and any of their many variations from the beginning and end of the external file.

3 ) The external call (<script src="some.js" type="text/javascript"></script>) is not inserted into the page at the correct spot. The external call must be inserted at the same place on the page where the script was/would have been.

4 ) Paths to other files (if) used by the script are no longer valid due to its location. This is only a problem if the external script is kept in a different directory than the page it was working on when it was an internal script. To correct this, use absolute paths inside the script. Absolute path examples:

http://www.somedomain.com/images/button.gif

http://www.somedomain.com/~mysitename/index.html

5 ) Inappropriately combining two or more scripts into one external file. Usually external scripts can be combined if one knows enough about scripting to do so properly. Even then it is possible to overlook something.

A rule of thumb when testing is, if it won't work on the page, it won't work as an external file either.

One other thing, if this is a DD script or any script that requires the credit remain for legal use, include the credit in the on page call, ex (see usage terms for more info on this, especially item 4 from the terms):

<script src="some.js" type="text/javascript">
/***********************************************
* IFrame SSI script II- © Dynamic Drive DHTML code library (http://www.dynamicdrive.com)
* Visit DynamicDrive.com for hundreds of original DHTML scripts
* This notice must stay intact for legal use
***********************************************/
</script>

Make sure to retain all the 'decorations', as these include begin and end javascript comment delimiters, without which the script won't function.

There is also info here:

http://www.javascriptkit.com/javatutors/external.shtml