Run Django function from Javascript command

Question

I'm trying to have Django to run a function when I tell it based off a JavaScript button. How do I accomplish this? Where do I write the Django function?

JavaScript in main.html:

 function mainFunction(){
 alert("Beginning API Main Function");
 $.ajax({
 type: 'POST',
 url: 'livestream/postdata/',
 success: function(){alert('DONE!');},
 error:function(){alert('ERROR!');},
 });
 alert("ENDING API MAIN FUNCTION");
 }

Urls.py:

 url(r'^postdata$', 'livestream.views.postdata', name='postdata')

Views.py:

def postdata(request):
 r = ...api... (I know that the api works)
 print(r.text)

When I run the function 'mainFunction()' I get the two alerts and then another that says 'ERROR'. Why is this?

• dan-klasson: And this isn't cross site like in your other question?
• Marcus: ya, I'm going to take a different approach to the problem
• Hieu Nguyen: I believe the url (in AJAX) should be: url: '/livestream/postdata/', (notice that first /?)
• Marcus: @HieuNguyen Thanks, but it didn't fix the issue of the error
• Hieu Nguyen: Could you post your full view code then?

Answer 1

Set up a route in your urls.py file

url(r'^action/$', 'yourproject.views.action', name='action')

In your views.py file, you would create that action.

def action(request):
 # do your magic!

Then, when someone interacts with that button, do an ajax call that hits the URL at /action.

• Marcus: I updated the question. I followed your code, but it doesn't seem to work yet.

Answer 2

You add a listener to the button which makes an ajax call when fired. In your view.py you handle the response for that ajax call.

• Marcus: Can you explain how I do this? and where in the view.py I put the code? THanks

Answer 3

@HieuNguyen

Thank You for answering my question. It was through chat, so I'll write down, what worked.

1. in ajax need a '/' before lifestream. /livestream/postdata/
2. url(r'^postdata/$', 'livestream.views.postdata', name='postdata')

3. in views.py

   before function I needed @csrf_exempt

   return HttpResponse(r)