Javascript in tab views - gyroscope-framework

Question

I defined a Javascript function in the function body of a tab view, but when I try to call it the function is undefined. I moved the function so it is defined in index.php, and now it works just fine. What's going on here?

Answer 1

Your observation is correct. JavaScript functions that are declared in tab views (icl/show[module].inc.php) are not loaded automatically. You may put the functions in index.php so that the function is available globally. However, this is not recommended practice for two reasons: 1. You'll also have to change iphone.php, in which case you'll end up with two copies of the same code; 2. it's better to load module-specific JavaScript functions on demand.
In icl/list[module]s.inc.php, there's this line:
ajxjs(self.show[module],'[module]s.js');
The above line detects whether a function show[module] is loaded. If not, it will load all the functions that are defined in [module]s.js. This makes sure that the JS file is loaded only once.
The functions have to be written in the following format:
show[module]=function(param1, param2){...}
instead of this:
function show[module](param1, param2){...}
If your tab can be opened without going through the list view, you'll have to manually load the JS file. For example, you have a function called update[module], but the [module] tab is opened via [anothermodule]:
<a onclick="ajxjs(self.update[module], '[module]s.js'");>open</a>
Technically you may also use the self.show[module] flag. It works just as well.
For completeness, there is another less recommended way to load JavaScript functions. If you use ajxpgn, there's a 4th parameter that forces loading the script blocks. Gyroscope has been structured to avoid such use case. If you find yourself needing script blocks inside a content file, consider organizing the code differently.