Is there a way to call function defined inside onload from an external file

Question

Following is a sample code created based on the scenario. showData() function is defined inside a javascript load function. I wanted to call showData() from another file maybe on a button click. I know this will work if the showData is made global. It's not possible to make the function global, as in this scenario it's a dynamically generated code. Is there anyway in JS that allows to call such functions ?

// Not possible to change the structure of this file as its coming dynamically
window.addEventListener("load", function() {
  showData(); // 1st time call
  function showData() {
    console.log('starting execution')
  }
});

// Calling from another file
showData(); // 2nd time call - not possible

who say you cannot make it global? did you try window.showData = showData — Ilijanovic
– Ilijanovic, Commented Nov 23, 2020 at 9:08
This might help you stackoverflow.com/questions/49616639/… — spyshiv
– spyshiv, Commented Nov 23, 2020 at 9:27
dispatchEvent(new Event('load')); I don't even want to post this as answer. Only if you are sure that the load event contains only that function call — Cid
– Cid, Commented Nov 23, 2020 at 15:31

Quentin · Accepted Answer · 2020-11-23 09:28:45Z

1

No.

The function is declared inside another function. Its scope is that function.

Unless you change that code to make it a global, it isn't accessible from outside the containing function at all.

answered Nov 23, 2020 at 9:28

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Quentin

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Deolu A · Accepted Answer · 2020-11-23 09:35:56Z

1

If the structure of the code can't be changed, perhaps you could try attaching your function to the global window object, like:

window.addEventListener("load", function() {
  // attached to window
  window.showData = function() {
    console.log('starting execution')
  };

  window.showData(); // 1st time call
    
});

// Calling from another file
window.showData();

But make sure the second call (from the other file) has a little bit of a delay (remember the eventListener has to be attached to the window first, before the function becomes available).

You could try:

// second call
setTimeout(function() {
    window.showData();
}, 1000);

answered Nov 23, 2020 at 9:35

Deolu A

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