Use Separate js File And use Url Helpers in it with ASP.NEt MVC 3 and Razor View Engine

Question

I ask a similar question here and Darin Dimitrov answer that we can't use Url helper like $.ajax({ url: '@Url.Action("Index")', . . . in separate js file so what is your suggestion to use Url helper in view page and pass it to javascript, I don't want to use hard code url, I need to find it with Url helper.?

Solution 1

Use a hidden field to store your url, then use javascript to read the hidden field, then use that in your code. That way you can keep the JS file separate to the view. Something like this:

//In Your View
    @Html.Hidden("MyURL", Url.Action("Index"))

//In Your JS
    var myUrl = $("#MyURL").val();

    $.ajax({ url: myUrl , . . .

Solution 2

The easiest way is just to create a global variable called something and just reference to it in your external JS

var baseURL = '@Url.Action("Index")';

Inside your external JS

$.ajax({ url: baseURL + "Action"

Solution 3

You can use RazorJS for that purpose. It allows writing Razor-Style C# or VB.NET inside your JavaScript files. There is a short description available here.

Solution 4

There is no need to have hidden field, even this works too in the external .js file.

var myUrl = /ControllerName/ActionName;

$.ajax({ url: myUrl , . . 

View more solutions

Comments

[Mosh]

Have you considered that this can open up security holes in the application? A hacker can replace the target URL on the server by simply modifying the value of hidden fields!

[Pluto]

@Mosh Everything in a webpage can be modified by a so-called hacker, including the JavaScript files before they run. You can't stop this (even with encryption). The only time this would be a problem is if a hacker could modify the value of those hidden fields for other people.

[Sibeesh Venu]

The description URL given is not valid now. Can you please check that? Please update the URL if you know any. I am also in a need of that. Thanks in advance.

[Josiah]

Best practice is to namespace your global variables ``` if(!window.myProject){ window.myProject = {}; } myProject.baseURL = '@Url.Action("Index")'; ```