Using JavaScript esc char \ **Resolved**

[aconybeare]

I'm trying to write out some javascript on the server ie below but it returns an invalid character error can anyone see where I'm going wrong here?

<td><input name=Dir_ID value=>
<%
Response.Write("<a href='http://directory.intra.bt.com/cgi/startup.cgi")
If Len(Request.Cookies("UserID")) Then
Response.Write("?search_for=" & Request.Cookies("UserID"))
End If

Response.Write("' onclick='javascript:openWin(this.href, 1);return false;' Title='Search for a Directory ID' onmouseover='window.status=\'\Search for a Directory ID\'\; return true' onmouseout='window.status=\'\'; return true'>Get ID </a>")
%></td>

Once run this is the result after the error

<td><input name=Dir_ID  value='521282'>
<a href='http://directory.intra.bt.com/cgi/startup.cgi' onclick='javascript:openWin(this.href, 1);return false;' Title='Search for a Directory ID' onmouseover='window.status=\'\Search for a Directory ID\'\; return true' onmouseout='window.status=\'\'; return true'>Get ID </a>
</td>

[punkpie_uk]

Response.Write("' onclick='javascriptpenWin(this.href, 1);return false;' Title='Search for a Directory ID' onmouseover='window.status='\Search for a Directory ID'\; return true' onmouseout='window.status=''; return true'>Get ID </a>")

A few possible reasons:

1/ There is a lone ' at the start of the string you are writing the page which doesn't appear to be needed

2/ 'window.status='\Search for a Directory ID'\ <- When using javascript document.write on this string you have the escape character after the ' and it should be before. Although, you appear to be using ASP for this so you shouldn't need it.

What I'd suggest doing is rewriting the string and using double quotes instead of single to the tag attributes. You can either write it like """ or you can use chr(34) ("foo" & chr(34) & " " & chr(34) & "bar").

Response.Write (' onclick=" & chr(34) & "javascriptpenWin(this.href, 1);return false;" & chr(34) & " Title=" & chr(34) & "Search for a Directory ID" & chr(34) & " onmouseover=" & chr(34) & "window.status='Search for a Directory ID'; return true" & chr(34) & " onmouseout=" & chr(34) & "window.status=''; return true" & chr(34) & ">Get ID </a>")

[aconybeare]

Thanks Lee,

I've managed to get it to work in a very similar way to what you're suggesting, with the help of a couple of guys on the ASP forum within this site. I'd love to be able to claim I did it myself, however my conscience won't allow me to.

Response.Write("<a href='http://directory.com/startup.cgi")
If Len(Request.Cookies("txtUserID")) Then
	Response.Write("?search_for=" & Request.Cookies("txtUserID"))
End If

Response.Write("' onmouseover=""window.status='Search for a Directory ID'; return true"" onmouseout=""window.status=''; return true"">Get ID </a>")

I've not actually tried your way, but will try it now.
Thanks for your help, until next time...

Oh I believe that the single quote is required as it closes off the href string.
Although I'm sure it would work without them, I just prefer to put them in.
Is that being purist? Probably not...!

[punkpie_uk]

No problem.

The way they suggested on the ASP forum will work the same way as chr(34).

And, you're right about the first ', I didn't notice it