passing data from python cgi popup to parent

pari

07-14-2004, 10:18 PM

Hi all,
I'm trying to implement a user authentication for a python s/w by use of javascript. When user clicks on a link(python cgi), a window pops-up asking for username and calls 2 diff cgi/py files to validate & log the user details.

What I need to do is after it succeeds, is to pass a variable(success/failure) back to parent at the same time closing pop-up so parent can take action depending on variable value.
the pop-up works, but passing variable by opener.retVal doesn't.

in parent:-

var retVal = 0
var handle= ''
function popup() {
handle = window.open("url", "name", "attributes")
if (handle.opener == null)
handle.opener = self
if (handle.closed)
window.alert(retVal)
}

<a href="url" onClick="popup()">Click here</a>

in child:-

function passval() {
opener.retVal = 1
}

<body onLoad="passval();self.close();">

The problem is as soon as popup window opens, the handle.closed statement is executed & fails because child is still open. How can I avoid this? How will it wait till child is closed?

I have been looking at FAQ's, & sites since morning but no answer. Sorry if my question seems too simple, but I'm hoping someone will reply. Thanks in advance.

sad69

07-14-2004, 10:28 PM

Why do you use a popup window as opposed to an iFrame? It's cleaner and it works better and you don't need to worry about windows opening and the like..

Sadiq.

pari

07-14-2004, 10:38 PM

ummm..... i must sound terribly naive, but what's an iframe?

sad69

07-14-2004, 11:05 PM

Not naiive.... just noobie-ish! lol

Check out these links:
http://www.webclass.ru/eng/Tutorials/HTML/The_IFRAME_tags.html
http://www.htmlgoodies.com/tutors/inlineframes.html

To make it hidden:
<iframe style="visibility:hidden"></iframe>

Hope that helps,
Sadiq.

pari

07-15-2004, 12:16 AM

thanks! but the functionality i require should be in both IE and Netscape and hence i do require javascript..

sad69

07-15-2004, 12:44 AM

Oh I know, and I'm not saying not to use Javascript, I'm saying don't use the popup window. Use the iFrame instead of the popup window.

This way you give the iFrame a name, and you can refer to the iFrame like you would a regular frame. Since the iFrame is embedded into the webpage, within the iFrame you can refer to the webpage using parent.

I just thing it looks more professional than having a window popping up and disappearing for no reason, and keep in mind that this popup window may not open due to popup blockers.

Sadiq.

glenngv

07-15-2004, 03:59 AM

If for some reasons you still want to use popup.
in parent:

function popup() {
var handle = window.open("url", "name", "attributes");
handle.focus();
return false;
}

function doSomething(flag){
if (flag==1) { //login successful
alert("OK");
}
else { //failure
alert("Failed.");
}
}
...
<a href="url" onClick="return popup()">Click here</a>

in child:

function passval(flag) {
if (opener && !opener.closed){ //make sure opener window is still open
opener.doSomething(flag);
opener.focus();
}
window.close(); //close popup
}
...
<body onload="passval(1);">

pari

07-15-2004, 02:53 PM

thank you! it works very well!