AJAX Request Callback with jQuery

In this article, we'll discuss how to handle AJAX callbacks using jQuery, specifically focusing on specifying the exact data to be returned.

Background

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript And XML) allows for asynchronous data exchange with a server, making it ideal for updating web pages without reloading the entire page. The .done() method is commonly used for processing data returned from an AJAX request.

Specifying Returned Data

Suppose you have a PHP script, convertNum.php, that doubles the value of a number received via an AJAX request. The challenge is to return only the doubled number, excluding other HTML markup.

Using a Separate PHP Script

One elegant solution is to create a separate PHP script, say returnNumber.php, that exclusively outputs the doubled number. This keeps the code organized and the PHP processing separate from the AJAX request.

Revised Code

Here is the revised code:

convertNum.php

returnNumber.php
AJAX Request
$.post("convertNum.php", {"json": json}).done(function (data) {
    // Process and use the returned doubled number here
    $('#numReturn').val(data);
});
Advantages of this Approach

• Separates the AJAX request handling from the data processing, making the code more organized.
• Can be reused for other AJAX requests requiring only a specific data value in return.
• Avoids the need for complicated if statements or other workarounds within a single PHP script.

Conclusion

By utilizing a separate PHP script for data processing and AJAX callback, you can effectively specify the exact data you wish to receive. This method promotes code clarity and flexibility for future Ajax request handling.