Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

[KayfabeRockStar]

I've browsed the forums and can't find quite the answer I need. It will probably be quite simple, but here goes:

I need to include the MIVA product variable in my JavaScript code. How do I do that? This doesn't work:

<script type="text/javascript">
var so = new SWFObject("../mp3s/flash_player/player.swf", "mymovie", "520", "350", "7", "#FFFFFF");
so.addVariable("autoPlay","no")
so.addVariable("playlistPath","../mp3s/&mvt:product:code;.xml")
so.addVariable("playerSkin","1")
so.write("flashPlayer");
</script>

I have the ToolKit module, but can't seem to figure out how to perhaps write an expression to assign the product MIVA variable to a JavaScript variable. When I hard code the product variable, it does work (by the way).

I've read all the previous posts on this topic twice (that I could find) ... please help me. :)

Thanks!

[kayakbabe]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

There is a big bug in miva that doesn't let you have certain characters before a miva token.
You'll have to use toolkit or toolbelt. I used tool belt.
The way I did it was use toolbelt to concatenate the entire line of javascript code I wanted and assign it to a global var.
Then use the global token to output the line in the right spot within the javascript.
To get the double quotes and slashes use the html char code.

Here is kind of what I did. I threw this together.. so you'll have to check the syntax.
If you don't have Ray Yate's toolbelt.. then you'll have to figure out how to do it with toolkit. I am sure it can do concatenate and get ascii char too.

fyi.. I always end all my javascript lines with a semi colon too.
that way if you decide to compress the whitespace in your store or website the lines don't get mixed up and break the code.

<script type="text/javascript">
var so = new SWFObject("../mp3s/flash_player/player.swf", "mymovie", "520", "350", "7", "#FFFFFF");
so.addVariable("autoPlay","no");
<mvt:item name="ry_toolbelt" param="assign|g.ke_scriptline|'so.addVariable(' $ asciichar(39) $ 'playlistPath' $ asciichar(39) $ ',' $ asciichar(39) $ '../mp3s/' $ l.all_settings:product:code $ '.xml' $ asciichar(39) $ ')'" />
&mvt:global:ke_scriptline;;
so.addVariable("playerSkin","1");
so.write("flashPlayer");
</script>

[KayfabeRockStar]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

Great and fast response. Thanks a bunch! Unfortunately I don't have toolbelt. I do have ToolKit, but I've been hovering over this and have been unsuccessful with ToolKit.

That's a good point about the semi-colons. I usually do that too, but didn't here for some strange reason.

I totally appreciate what you've done.

[kayakbabe]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

I just looked at the docs for toolkit.
I am 100% sure you can use it.

You don't even need to do the ascii char thing. look at this example
from the docs
<mvt:item name="toolkit" param="sassign|greeting|Happy Mother\'s Day" /> so you can just escape the single and double quotes within the line.

Don't even try to use the store morph &mvt: product code
use the tookit version of the variable. I think it is the same as in the toolbelt. the l.settings version.

It's in the docs for toolkit.

[KayfabeRockStar]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

Ok, I see that example. I just don't understand a few things (sorry). For instance, Instead of Happy Mother's Day, I want it to be the "current" product code. Then how do I call the variable "greeting" in the JavaScript? You said to use the toolKit version of the variable, but I don't know what that would be.

I'm trying to learn! :)

Thanks again.

[wcw]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

The line would be almost the same as kayakbabe's example. Except the function is mvassign. If you don't have that in your version, you'll need the current version of the tool kit. Assuming kayakbabe's example is correct it would probably be
<mvt:item name="toolkit" param="mvassign|g.ke_scriptline|'so.addVariable(' $ asciichar(39) $ 'playlistPath' $ asciichar(39) $ ',' $ asciichar(39) $ '../mp3s/' $ l.all_settings:product:code $ '.xml' $ asciichar(39) $ ')'" />

[kayakbabe]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

[edited by kayakbe to be less confusing]
My example was an example straight from the tool kit docs.

Look at the docs (which are in your store. You can get to it by click on the item title in utilities or in which ever page template you are working on.

In addition to the example with using a backslash to escape a character.
I think all you will need to use these examples in tool kit:
3. Use the vassign to create and name a global variable from a variable.
48. Use concat to combine one variable with another.

[kayakbabe]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

Bill,
Thanks for the great example. I was trying to do more steps than necessary!

[kayakbabe]

storemorph token preceded by character bug

Sure seems like a LOT of people are bitten by this
storemorph token preceded by character bug in miva.
I wish they would fix it.
I do not see any legacy impact, as the work arounds for the bug would continue to work.

[KayfabeRockStar]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

I'm understanding a bit more. What would I actually enter in the javascript? Yes, this bug is a pain ... and thanks so much again!

[kayakbabe]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

You would use the store morph token for the new variable you just created.

&mvt:global:newVariableName;

that will output the contents of newVariable name.
just use whatever you named the variable instead.
I always try to use some thing that is unique and will tell me what it is supposed to do.
I usually preceed mine with my initials too, so I will know if I did it years later.
Helps me with my creaky memory.

That's why in my example I put ke_scriptline
Here is an example for you:
Let's say you named your variable kay_scriptline or KR_lineoutput
and you assigned all the good stuff to it, so the variable will contain your whole line of javascript code.

Then you use your storemorph token for that variable like:

&mvt:global:kay_scriptline;   or    &mvt:global:KR_lineoutput;

Just like you use any other mvt token... the variable itself comes last.

I think of it this way:
&mvt: the group the variable belongs to : then the variable itself ;

this is oversimplification, but a good way to start thinking about it.

[sebenza]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

Try this:

<script type="text/javascript">
var pcode = '&mvt:product:code;';
var so = new SWFObject("../mp3s/flash_player/player.swf", "mymovie", "520", "350", "7", "#FFFFFF");
so.addVariable("autoPlay","no")
so.addVariable("playlistPath","../mp3s/" + pcode + ".xml")
so.addVariable("playerSkin","1")
so.write("flashPlayer");
</script>

[sebenza]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

To further clarify, you put the product code into a js "var" then pull that var into the desired js line.

[wcw]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

To further clarify, you put the product code into a js "var" then pull that var into the desired js line.

Much cleaner than using a 3rd party module. :-)

[KayfabeRockStar]

Re: Assigning a MIVA variable to use in JavaScript

Brilliant! Shows how much I don't know about JavaScript ... I hope everyone else who posted a problem with this finds this post. You have been very helpful, thank you.

Just one more reason to love the MM community.