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How to read a text file from server using JavaScript?

Asked 2010-12-26T06:54:09.137
43

On the server, there is a text file. Using JavaScript on the client, I want to be able to read this file and process it. The format of the file on the server cannot be changed.

How can I get the contents of the file into JavaScript variables, so I can do this processing? The size of the file can be up to 3.5 MB, but it could easily be processed in chunks of, say, 100 lines (1 line is 50-100 chars).

None of the contents of the file should be visible to the user; he will see the results of the processing of the data in the file.

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You need to use Ajax, which is basically sending a request to the server, then getting a JSON object, which you convert to a JavaScript object.

Check this:

http://www.w3schools.com/ajax/tryit.asp?filename=tryajax_first

If you are using jQuery library, it can be even easier:

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

Having said this, I highly recommend you don't download a file of 3.5MB into JS! It is not a good idea. Do the processing on your server, then return the data after processing. Then if you want to get a new data, send a new Ajax request, process the request on server, then return the new data.

Hope that helps.

answered 2010-12-26T06:59:26.477

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