Putting JavaScript in an external .js file

[Geoserv]

Cut all code between the <script> and </script> tags and paste it to a .js file. Don't include HTML commenting (<!-- and -->), or any other HTML tags. To include the file on the page, use this code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="filename.js"></script>

Make sure the path to the .js file is correct.

Helps keep your coding cleaner.

Geoserv.

[Jerlene]

What exactly does this do and what are the benefits?

[Yowser]

Moving your javascript to an external file takes it out of the way so that search engine spiders will have an easier time getting to the part that matters in your HTML pages. It can improve your rankings and make it easier for the SE's to index all the pages of your site.

I'm sure there are other benefits other than from an SEO standpoint but that is the major benefit.

[linuxhq]

It mainly just helps you to organize your pages better code wise, and to allow the sharing of the same js code, for example a library, whithout having to insert it 600 times into all your files.

[Geoserv]

Yeah it keeps your coding cleaner, and it works just like CSS, can be shared on more than one page, and with one change it will change on all pages using it.

Geoserv.

[PunjabiSingh]

Originally Posted by Yowser

Moving your javascript to an external file takes it out of the way so that search engine spiders will have an easier time getting to the part that matters in your HTML pages. It can improve your rankings and make it easier for the SE's to index all the pages of your site.

I'm sure there are other benefits other than from an SEO standpoint but that is the major benefit.

i like this idea, it makes sense, hope it is really an improvement.

[khasmoth]

Originally Posted by Geoserv

Cut all code between the <script> and </script> tags and paste it to a .js file. Don't include HTML commenting (<!-- and -->), or any other HTML tags. To include the file on the page, use this code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="filename.js"></script>

Make sure the path to the .js file is correct.

Helps keep your coding cleaner.

Geoserv.

Thanks for this information Geoserv. This is very useful to all Javascript user.

[Jell-O-Fishi]

you can take this a step further. take out all the onclick events and whatever javascript you've inserted into html tags, and create a function (in a separate file ofcourse) that will attach those events to the html tags of the right type with the right id (and possibly by calss too, not that complicated). the more separation between content and fucntionality the better. same with css, try to use the style addtirbute as less as possible.

[irunbackwards]

Usually you will put this in your HEAD tags too. I like using this for longer .js files, so my main html or php page looks more clean-cut.

If it is a short bit of js though I will just include it on that page, unless I need to use on multiple pages!

[Jell-O-Fishi]

not sure if it's just firefox, but is it correct that <script src="whatever.js" /> isn't valid, only <script src="whatever.js"></script> (i mean the fact that the closing tag has to be separated)
or is this just a matter of the dtd i use.

[Geoserv]

It depends on the DTD, XHTML requires a you to close the tag all in one.

Geoserv.