JavaScript Async Await – An Introduction

JavaScript

Javascript async awaitThe Javascript async await statement provides a way to express asynchronous logic in your code in a sane and readable manner

In this article, you will learn how to master the Javascript async await statement. Before async await came along, the only thing we had was promises and callbacks. The async-await statement syntax is easier to understand, read, and implement in your code.

Continue reading “JavaScript Async Await – An Introduction”

The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: jQuery Click Handlers

JavaScript

JavaScript LogoLearn the difference between $(this) and “this” inside of your jQuery event handler.

In two previous posts, we learned that functions that are properties of an object are called “methods” (The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: Nested Methods & The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: An Overview). In this case, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the object that the method belongs to. Well, of course, this is usually pretty obvious from looking at the code.

But in an event handler, it may not be apparent to all that the JavaScript “this” keyword, is available to you inside of the event handler, and that it refers to the element that generated the event. Since many front-end developers are comfortable with jQuery, I thought I’d start with jQuery event handlers. And since click events are so common, let’s stick with that.

Example # 1

In Example # 1, we have created a click event handler using jQuery. When the user clicks the anchor tag inside of the element with the class: “download”, the jQuery “toggleClas” method is used to change the text “Click Me” fom red to blue.

Of course, many have seen $(this) used inside of the event handler to set a reference to the element that was clicked. It is helpful to know, however, that $(this) is an enhanced version of the JavaScript “this” keyword. That is to say: inside of the click event handler, “this” refers to the element that was clicked. When you put “this” inside of: $( ), you “wrap” the JavaScript “this” keyword with jQuery, which adds a number of properties and methods.

As a result of this “wrapping”, you can set a reference to the element that was clicked, but you can also leverage the power of jQuery. The native JavaScript HTML element does not have a “toggleClass” method, but jQuery does. So, by wrapping the JavaScript “this” keyword with jQuery, $(this) has allowed you to reference the clicked element, and use jQuery methods.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 1: http://jsfiddle.net/9gZbE/

How to Demo: Click the text that says: “Click Me”. Each time you click that element, the text color will toggle between red and blue.

Example # 2

In Example # 2, we have changed the reference to the clicked element from $(this) to “this”. But when you click that element, there is an error in the JavaScript console. In Google Chrome, the error is: Uncaught TypeError: Object [object HTMLAnchorElement] has no method ‘toggleClass’, and in FireFox, the error is: TypeError: this.toggleClass is not a function. The reason for this error is that while the JavaScript “this” keyword can be used to reference the element that was clicked, it does not have a “toggleClass” method. So, an error occurs.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 2: http://jsfiddle.net/9gZbE/1/

How to Demo: Open up your JavaScript console, and then click the text that says: “Click Me”. When you do, you will see an error indicating that the element you clicked does not have a “toggleClass” method.

Example # 3

So, in Example # 3, we continue to reference the element that was clicked by using the JavaScript “this” keyword, without the jQuery “wrapping”. That is: we are not using: $(this). The reason that the example now works, is because we are using the “classList” property of the element, and in-turn, the “contains”, “remove” and “add” methods. Consequently, this allows us to mimic jQuery’s “toggleClass” method.

It’s important to note that although we used jQuery to create the click handler, we can still use the JavaScript “this: keyword inside of that event handler, and access the native JavaScript element object.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 3: http://jsfiddle.net/9gZbE/2/

How to Demo: Click the text that says: “Click Me”. Each time you click that element, the text color will toggle between red and blue.

Summary

In this article, we learned about the JavaScript “this” keyword when used inside of a jQuery event handler. We learned that we can “wrap” that keyword with jQuery, leveraging that library’s DOM manipulation methods. We also discussed how inside of a jQuery event handler, we can still use the “un-wrapped” version of “this”, and leverage native JavaScript DOM manipulation methods.

The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: Constructor Functions

JavaScript

JavaScript LogoLearn how the JavaScript “this” keyword differs when instantiating a constructor (as opposed to executing the function).

In earlier articles of the “The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive” series, we discussed how the meaning of “this” differs in various scenarios. In this article, we will focus on JavaScript constructors. It is critical to keep in mind that in JavaScript, constructor functions act like classes. They allow you to define an object that could exist. The constructor itself is not yet an object. When we instantiate that constructor, the return value of the instantiation will be an object, and in that object, “this” refers to the instance object itself.

So, inside of a constructor function, the JavaScript keyword refers to the object that will be created when that constructor is instantiated.

Example # 1

In Example #1, you’ll see that we have created two new properties of the window object: “music” and “getMusic”. The “window.getMusic” method returns the value of window.music, but it does so by referencing: “this.music”. Since the “window.getMusic” method is executed in the global context, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the window object, which is why window.getMusic returns “classical”.

When you instantiate a JavaScript constructor function, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the instance of the constructor.

We’ve also created a constructor function named “Foo”. When we instantiate Foo, we assign that instantiation to the variable: “bar”. In other words, the variable “bar” becomes an instance of “Foo”. This is a very important point.

When you instantiate a JavaScript constructor function, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the instance of the constructor. If you remember from previous articles, constructor functions act like classes, allowing you to define a “blueprint” object, and then create “instances” of that “class”. The “instances” are JavaScript objects, but they differ from object literals in a few ways.

For an in-depth discussion of the difference between an object literal and an instance object, see the article: “What is the difference between an Object Literal and an Instance Object in JavaScript? | Kevin Chisholm – Blog”.

Earlier on, we established that inside a function that is not a method, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the window object. If you truly want to understand constructor functions, it is important to remember how the JavaScript “this” keyword differs inside that constructor. When you look at the code, it seems as if “this” will refer to the window object. If we were to simply execute Foo as if it were a normal function, this would be true (and we will discuss this scenario in Example # 3). But we don’t simply execute Foo; we instantiate it: var bar = new Foo().

When you instantiate a JavaScript constructor function, an object is returned. The JavaScript “this” keyword has a special meaning inside of that object: it refers to itself. In other words, when you create your constructor function, you can use the “this” keyword to reference the object that WILL be created when the constructor is instantiated.

So, in Example # 1, the getMusic method returns “this.music”. Since the “music” property of Foo is: “jazz”, then the getMethod returns “jazz”. When we instantiate Foo, the variable “bar” becomes an instance of Foo, so bar.getMusic() returns “jazz”.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 1: http://jsfiddle.net/2RFa3/

Example # 2

In Example # 2, we have changed Foo’s “GetMusic” method. Instead of returning “this.music”, it returns an executed function. While at first glance, it may seem as though the “getMusic” method will return “jazz”, the JSFiddle.net link demonstrates that this is not the case.

Inside of the “getMusic” method, we have defined a variable that is equal to an anonymous function: “myFunction”. Here is where things get a bit tricky: “myFunction” is not a method. So, inside that function, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the window object. As a result, that function returns “classical” because inside of “myFunction”, this.music is the same thing as window.music, and window.music is “classical”.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 2: http://jsfiddle.net/2RFa3/1/

Example # 3

In Example # 3, we have an example of a scenario that you don’t want: executing a JavaScript constructor function instead of instantiating it. Hopefully, this is a mistake that you will catch quickly, but it can happen. It is also possible that you might inherit code that contains such a bug. Either way, this is bad.

While the Foo constructor still has a “getMusic” method, because we execute Foo, instead of instantiating it, the code inside of Foo overwrites two properties that we created earlier: window.music and window.getMusic. As a result, when we output the value of “this.getMusic()”, we get “jazz”, because when we executed Foo, we overwrote window.music, changing it from “classical” to “jazz”.

While this is a pattern that you want to be sure to avoid in your code, it is important that you be able to spot it. This kind of bug can leave you pulling your hair out for hours.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 3: http://jsfiddle.net/2RFa3/2/

Summary

In this article we learned how the JavaScript “this” keyword behaves in a constructor function. We learned about instantiating a constructor and the relationship between “this” and the instance object. We also discussed a couple of scenarios that are important to understand with regards to “this” and constructor functions.

The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: Nested Methods

JavaScript

JavaScript LogoDepending on the scenario, the JavaScript “this” keyword may refer to the object of which the method is a property, or the window object.

In an earlier article: The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: Nested Functions, we learned how functions that are not methods evaluate “this” to the window object. In that post, we demonstrated that no matter how deeply you nest functions, this behavior is always the same. In this article, we will learn how the JavaScript “this” keyword behaves in nested methods.

So, here, it might be a good idea to quickly answer the question: “What is a nested-method”?

A method is a function that is a property of an object. A nested method occurs when a method, in turn, returns an executed method.

The reason that this scenario is an important one to consider is that while you may execute method A, if that method returns the executed method of object B, then inside of that second method, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to object B (not object A).

Example # 1

In Example # 1, we have added a property to the window object named “music”, and set the value to: “classical”. We have also added a method to the window object named “getMusic”, which returns the value of window.music. But, notice that instead of referencing window.music, the method returns: this.music. The reason that works is that since the method is a property of the window object, “this” refers to the window object. This means that this.music is the same thing as this.music, and the value of that property is: “classical”.

We have also created an object named “foo”, and it has the exact same-named properties we specified above, and the “getMusic” method has the exact same code: return this.music. But foo’s “getMusic” method returns “jazz”, because foo.music = “jazz”, which means that inside of foo’s “getMusic” method, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the foo object, and foo.music is “jazz”.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 1: http://jsfiddle.net/5uUJ8/

Example # 2

In Example # 2, we have created an object named: “foo”, which has a method named: “getMusic”. The getMusic method returns an object with two properties: “music”, which is equal to “rock”, and “getMusic” which returns this object’s “music” property.

When we pass the output of foo.getMusic() to the console, we see that is: “rock”, and now “Jazz”. The reason for this is that foo’s getMusic method ignores foo’s music property. That is, it returns an object, and that object’s getMusic method returns its own “music” property. In this scenario, we have nested a method: foo.getMusic, that returns the executed method of another object. The reason for this example is to demonstrate the fact that even though foo.getMusic returns a nested method, when the nested method utilizes the JavaScript “this” keyword, it refers to the object that it is a property of, not foo.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 2: http://jsfiddle.net/5uUJ8/1/

Example # 3

So, in Example # 3, we take the exact same approach as Example # 2, providing an additional level of method-nesting. As you might expect, the innermost method returns “metal”, the value of the “music” property to which the getMusic method belongs.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 3: http://jsfiddle.net/5uUJ8/2/

Example # 4

Example # 4 is somewhat similar to Example # 3, except that the nesting is logical, not physical: each getMusic method, in turn, calls the getMusic method of a different object. The end result is the same as Example # 3: “metal”. But instead of one method returning an anonymous object whose getMusic method is executed, each of the getMusic method calls here return the execution of another named-object’s “getMusic” method.

It is also important to note that the first console.log call: this.getMusic returns “classical”, because the window.getMusic method is a property of the window object. But, each of the other objects (i.e. “rockObject” and “metalObject”) have its own “music” properties, so when the “metalObject.getMusic” is called, it returns the value of metalObject’s “music” property, which is “metal”.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 4: http://jsfiddle.net/5uUJ8/3/

Summary

In this article we discussed how the JavaScript “this” keyword behaves inside of nested methods. We learned what a nested method is. And we also learned how, in this scenario, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the object of which the method is a property, not the window object.

The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: Nested Functions

JavaScript

JavaScript LogoLearn how the JavaScript “this” keyword behaves inside of function declarations and expressions, even when nested 10 levels deep.

In the article: The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: An Overview, we discussed a number of scenarios in which the JavaScript “this” Keyword has different meanings. In this article, we will concentrate on functions and methods.

It’s important to note that methods are functions. What makes a method a method is that the consumer of the code specifies an object, and then calls a method of that object.

Example # 1

In Example # 1, we have executed a function and a method. We have actually executed two functions, but the second function: “someMethod” is actually a method of the “bar” object. We know this because we have used the syntax: object.method().

It’s important to understand the difference between executing a function and a method.

Example # 2

foo = function (){ return this.music; }; console.log(this.music); //’classical’ (global) console.log(foo()); //’classical’ (global)

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 2: http://jsfiddle.net/84Yd4/

In Example # 2, we have executed the function “foo”, which returns the value of “this.music”: “classical”. Both console.log statements return the value: “classical”, because since we are not inside of a method, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the window object, and at the top of the code, you’ll see that window.music is equal to “classical”.

Example # 3

foo = function (){ function bar(){ function baz(){ function bif(){ return this.music; } return bif(); } return baz(); } return bar(); }; console.log(this.music); //’classical’ (global) console.log(foo()); //’classical’ (global)

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 2: http://jsfiddle.net/84Yd4/1/

In Example # 3, things get a bit silly, but the effect is the same. Even inside of nested functions, because none of these functions are methods, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the window object. And “this.music” is the same as “window.music”, which is equal to “classical”.

Example # 4

foo = function (){ function bar(){ function baz(){ function bif(){ function billy(){ function bobby(){ function betty(){ function jetty(){ function jimmy(){ function judy(){ return this.music; } return judy(); } return jimmy(); } return jetty(); } return betty(); } return bobby(); } return billy(); } return bif(); } return baz(); } return bar(); }; console.log(this.music); //’classical’ (global) console.log(foo()); //’classical’ (global)

In Example # 4, the function-nesting concept is taken to a ridiculous level. Nonetheless, the output is exactly the same: “this.music” is the same as “window.music”, which is equal to “classical”. It does not matter how deeply a function is nested. Unless it is a method of an object, the JavaScript “this” keyword will always refer to the window object.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK FOR EXAMPLE # 3: http://jsfiddle.net/84Yd4/2/

Summary

In this article we learned that when a function is not specified as a method of an object, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the window object. This is true even in the case of nested functions. In fact, no matter how many levels deep we nest functions, the JavaScript “this” keyword refers to the window object.

The JavaScript “this” Keyword Deep Dive: An Overview

JavaScript

JavaScript LogoLearn the subtle yet critical details that allow you to leverage the JavaScript “this” keyword.

In JavaScript, the “this” keyword is one of the most overly-used yet under-utilized aspects of the language. It is also one of the most mis-understood topics. While it facilitates more readable, expressive object-oriented JavaScript, improper use is a catalyst for confusing code that is difficult to debug.

Personally, I’ve struggled to understand the mystery. I’ve heard many unusually long-winded explanations, which I feel only contribute to the silliness. Simply put: In JavaScript, “this” refers to the object upon which a function is invoked. That’s it.

In JavaScript, “this” refers to the object upon which a function is invoked.

This means that “this” can only be used in a function, or globally. When used in either of these cases, “this” refers to the window object. When the function is a method of an object, then “this” refers to the object that the method is a member of. When the function is a constructor, then “this” refers to the instance object. There is much more to talk about with regards to what “this” means in varying scenarios, but these are the most common situations.

Example # 1

In Example # 1, we have added a property to the window object, named it: “music”, and assigned the value “classical”. In the line that follows, we output the value of “this.music”, and the result is: “classical”.

The reason for the output is simple: If you execute arbitrary code in the global context (i.e. outside of a function), then “this” refers to the window object. Executing arbitrary code in the global context is highly discouraged, but it is important to understand this behavior from a theoretical standpoint; in the global context: “this” will evaluate to the window object.

Example # 2

In Example # 2, we have added a function named foo, and then logged the output of that function’s execution. The resulting value is: “classical”. Some may have expected the output to be “blues”. This is a common mistake.

In the function “foo”, “music” is a variable. The “this” keyword has to do with objects, never variables (there is a very subtle scenario where “this” refers to a variable, which we will address in a later post). So the fact that there is a variable named “music” is completely meaningless in this example. The function “foo” does only one thing: it returns the value of this.music. In that function, “this” is the widow object, and the value of window.music is: “classical”. So, the variable “music” is completely ignored.

Example # 3

In Example # 3, we have added an object named “bar”. This object has two properties: “music”, which has a value of “jazz” and “getMusic”: a method that returns the value of bar’s “music” property.

The “getMusic” method has a line of code that you have seen in previous examples: “return this.music”. But why does that line of code return: “jazz”? The reason for this behavior is that when a function is a method of an object, the “this” keyword refers to the object upon which that function is invoked. In this case, the object is “bar”, and bar’s “music” property is equal to “jazz”, so “this.music” is equal to “jazz”.

Example # 4

In Example # 4, we have added the constructor function: “Baz”. “Baz” has a property named “music”, and it is equal to “rock”. It also has a property named “getMusic”, which is a method. The “getMusic” method returns the value of Baz’s “music” property.

You may be thinking that inside of the “Baz” constructor, the “this” keyword refers to the window object, as discussed in Example # 2. If we were to simply execute “Baz” (e.g. Baz() ), then yes, the property window.music would be overwritten and given the value of “rock”, and there would be a new global property named “getMusic”, which would return “rock”.

But that’s not what happens. After we create the constructor: “Baz”, we instantiate it, which results in a variable named “bif”, an instance of “Baz”. When you instantiate a JavaScript constructor function, the “this” keyword inside of that function refers to the instance object that the constructor returns.

HERE IS THE JS-FIDDLE.NET LINK

FOR EXAMPLE # 3:

Summary

In this article we discussed the high-level details of the JavaScript “this” keyword. We learned that it refers to the object upon which a function is invoked, and how it means different things in different scenarios. The scenarios we covered are: the window object, inside of a function, inside of a method, and inside of a constructor function.

Easy JavaScript Object Context Switching with jQuery.proxy()

jQuery

JavaScript LogoA popular saying in the Real Estate business is: “Location, location, location!” Well, in JavaScript, it’s all about “context”. When you want to leverage the very powerful keyword: “this”, then understanding the current context is critical.

So, those experienced with native JavaScript should be comfortable with the concept of context (If you are not, take a moment to brush up on this subject; it’s important.) When you need to specify context, you would normally use the .call() or .apply() methods. The jQuery folks have also provided a way to accomplish this with their .proxy() method. This method takes two arguments, which are: the function to be executed and the object whose context should be targeted. Any additional arguments are optional and are passed to the function that is executed.

Example # 1

In Example # 1, we have created two simple objects: “foo” and “bar”. Note that each object has one property named “music”. Next, we set up two click event handlers. In each case, we execute the “handler” function. And that function makes reference to “this”. If we were to run that function by itself, the output of the alert would be “undefined”, because when doing that, “this” refers to the window object, which at this time has no property named “music”.

So, by using the jQuery.proxy() method, we specify the context within which the “handler” function should be executed.

Here is the JS Fiddle link for Example # 1: http://jsfiddle.net/Shm47/

Example # 2

In Example # 2, we have taken our cause to the DOM. We first create a function named toggleColor, which when passed a class name, will toggle that class name.

Next, we set up two click event handlers. In each case, we leverage jQuery.proxy(), to call the “toggleColor” function, and specify the context within which it should run. We’re also specifying the class name to be passed to that function.

Here is the JS Fiddle link for Example # 2: http://jsfiddle.net/WzDUj/

Summary

In this article, we learned about the jQuery.proxy() method. In doing so, we discussed how it is used to specify the context within which a function should be executed. First we demonstrated how you can leverage this function using object literals. We then showed how you can do so by using DOM elements.

Helpful Links for the jQuery.proxy() method

http://api.jquery.com/jQuery.proxy/
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3349380/jquery-proxy-usage
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4986329/understanding-proxy-in-jquery
http://blog.kevinchisholm.com/javascript/context-http://blog.kevinchisholm.com/javascript/difference-between-scope-and-context/object-literals/
http://blog.kevinchisholm.com/javascript/difference-between-scope-and-context/

JavaScript Function Throttling

JavaScript

JavaScript LogoWhen an event such as window.resize() runs more often than you want it to, you can control how many times your event handler runs.

Sometimes events fire very quickly and more often than you would like; window.resize is a perfect example. It’s quite common to assign an event handler that will run every time the user resizes the browser. Unfortunately, however, there is no “resize-end” event. The resize event will fire for every change in pixel. This means that if the user resizes the window 100px, that resize event will run 100 times. But what you usually want is for that event handler to run when the user has finished resizing the window. Since there is no “resize-end” event, we have to use a timeout to imitate the kind of behavior we want.

Example # 1

In Example # 1, we have assigned an anonymous function to the onresize event of the window object. Unfortunately, though, the unordered list is updated every time the window size changes by one pixel. What we want is for the update message to appear after the user has finished resizing the window.

Click here to see the code for Example # 1 in action: http://jsfiddle.net/zWQ8D/

Example # 2

Click here to see the code for Example # 2 in action: http://jsfiddle.net/zWQ8D/1/

In Example # 2, we have created a function named “throttle”. This function will set a timeout of whatever numeric value is passed in as an argument. But every time that same function is called, the timeout, which exists in the global scope, is cleared and reset. Because our window.onresize event calls this function many times in rapid succession, the timeout is constantly re-set, which means that the function passed-in never executes.

The magic happens after the user has stopped resizing the window. Since every call to the “throttle” function sets a timeout, once 250 milliseconds has passed since the last call to the function, the final timeout actually executes. The net result is that the event handler for the window.resize event “feels” as if it only executes once the user has finished resizing the window. What actually happens is that the event handler is passed to the “throttle” function over and over in rapid succession, but our “throttle” function ensures that it only executes if 250 milliseconds has passed since the last time it was called.

Using the jQuery Promise Interface to Avoid the AJAX Pyramid of Doom

jQuery

jQuery LogoNested success callbacks are messy business. The jQuery Promise interface provides a simple and elegant solution.

So, you have to make an AJAX call, and then do something with the return data. No problem, right? Right. What if you have to make two AJAX calls, and then do something with the return data for each one? No problem, right? Right. What if the second AJAX call depends on the success of the first AJAX call?

“…um, well…. then, well… wait a minute… ok, I’ve got it:

I’ll make the first AJAX call…and then inside the success callback function, cache the data somewhere… um… in a global variable for now I guess… yeah, no one will notice. OK, and then inside of that success callback, we’ll nest another AJAX call, and then inside of the second AJAX calls’ success callback, we’ll get our first chunk of data from the global variable, and then, and then… um…and then…”

…yikes!

Obviously, the preceding diatribe was a little over the top, but c’mon…. haven’t you at least once stood at the edge of that cliff and looked over? Fortunately, jQuery features a way out of this mess that is safe, reliable and packed with vitamins.

The jqXHR object

Since version 1.5.1, jqXHR objects returned by $.ajax() implement a “Promise” interface. In short, this means that a number of methods that are exposed provide powerful abstraction for handling multiple asynchronous tasks.

I think it is important to note that the subject of the jQuery Deferred and Promise Objects is deep. It is not an easy topic to jump into and a detailed discussion of this is outside of the scope of this article. What I hope to accomplish here is to provide a simple and fast introduction to the topic, by using a real-world problem / solution.

There are certainly multiple scenarios in which the jQuery Deferred and Promise objects can be useful. I have chosen to use AJAX calls for this, since it is an example of asynchronous behavior that I think most folks can relate to. In order to dramatize the effect of an asynchronous AJAX call, I am using a PHP file that can return a delayed response. Here is the code for the server page:

OK, now some AJAX.

(Note: I highly recommend that you open up the “network”  panel in Firebug or WebKit developer tools so that you can see these AJAX calls in action when viewing the working examples… especially AJAX call # 1, which will take 5 seconds to complete)

Example # 1

In Example # 1 we have a fairly straightforward setup: Two buttons, each resulting in an AJAX call. Notice that the 1st AJAX call takes 5 seconds to complete. Instead of providing an inline anonymous function for the success callback of each AJAX call, we have a generic handler named “success”.

Here is a link to the working code for Example # 1: http://examples.kevinchisholm.com/jquery/promise/promise-and-ajax-beginner/example-1.html

But what if we want AJAX call # 2 to depend on AJAX call # 1? That is, we don’t want AJAX call # 2 to even be possible until AJAX call # 1 has completed successfully.

Example # 2

In Example # 2, we have a pattern that is known as the “Pyramid of Doom”. This might work for the short term, but it is impractical, not at all flexible, and just plain messy. What if there was a third button, and a fourth button… I think you see what I’m getting at here.

Example # 3

Ahhh… that’s much better!

In Example # 3, we have taken advantage of the Promise interface that is exposed as part of the jqXHR object. If you are wondering what the jqXHR object is, it is the return value of any $.ajax() call. So, while you can simply do this: $.ajax(URL,CALLBACK), the call itself returns a value. That return value is the jqXHR object, which is a superset of the XMLHTTPRequest object.

The return value of $.ajax() is the jqXHR object, which is a superset of the XMLHTTPRequest object, and packed with some powerful features.

We don’t have to dive too deeply into the good ol’ XMLHTTPRequest object (although it is important to know what it is and the critical role that it plays in AJAX). But the key point here is that the jqXHR object wraps the XMLHTTPRequest object, providing some useful features. One of those features is the “Promise” interface.

“….ok, ok Kevin, you’re givin’ me a migraine… where are you going with all this?”

Hang in there; we are at the 99 yard line here. What this all means is that instead of just making an AJAX call, you can assign that AJAX call to a variable. Since the $.ajax() method returns the jqXHR object, your variable is now a Swiss Army knife of AJAXian goodness. You can then implement methods of your object (i.e. your variable). Two of those methods are: .when() and .done();

So, in Example # 3, when we fired the first AJAX call, we assigned its return value to the variable “aj1”. Notice that we did NOT make a success handler call. We simply make the AJAX call, and that call’s return value is held by the variable “aj1”. Then when the user clicks the second button. we set the return value of the second AJAX call to the variable: “aj2”. Now we have two variables and each is a jqXHR object. These are powerful little objects!

The line where the fun really starts is: $.when(aj1,aj2).done()

Notice how the .done() function takes a callback. The callback is fired when the two arguments passed to the .when() method are resolved. And guess what those two arguments are… our two little jqXHR objects!

So, the .done() method knows how to get ahold of the data returned by each of those calls. Now we simply call our generic success handler, passing in the return data of each AJAX call (i.e. each jqXHR object). You may be wondering why I pass in the values “a[0]” and “b[0]”. This is because “a” and “b” are jqXHR objects. It just so happens that the first property of these objects (i.e. the property with the index of 0) happens to be the “responseText” property of that object (i.e. the text sent back from the server).

Phew!

I know that was a lot. But there is much to shout about when it comes to the jQuery Promise interface. As I mentioned, it is a big topic and not easily summarized. But my hope is that these examples will have put a little context around the subject, and will help you to dive in and get started.

Below is the source code for this article’s full working example:

Example # 4:

Here is a link to this article’s full working example: http://examples.kevinchisholm.com/jquery/promise/promise-and-ajax-beginner/example-2.html

Summary

In this article we learned about the jQuery Promise interface. We discovered that since version 1.5.1, calls to $.ajax() return a jqXHR object, which implements the Promise interface. We utilized the .when() and .done() methods of this interface to execute callback functions for two asynchronous tasks. This eliminates the need for nested success callback functions.

Helpful Links for the jQuery Deferred, jQuery Promise and jqXHR Objects

jQuery Deferred

http://api.jquery.com/category/deferred-object/

http://api.jquery.com/jQuery.Deferred/

jQuery Promise

http://api.jquery.com/promise/

http://api.jquery.com/deferred.promise/

http://joseoncode.com/2011/09/26/a-walkthrough-jquery-deferred-and-promise/

jQuery jqXHR

http://api.jquery.com/Types/#jqXHR

http://api.jquery.com/jQuery.ajax/#jqXHR