Is there a way to program JavaScript to automatically close a webpage?

Question

Is there a way to program JavaScript to automatically close a webpage?

Despite encountering similar questions on different forums, I have yet to find a solution that resolves my specific issue.

In essence, I am looking to open a URL via the command prompt which will launch a browser, navigate to a webpage, and then automatically close.

Why do I require this functionality? I operate an application on IIS that requires daily routines to be executed. These routines can be initiated by visiting a specific URL like the one below:

The problem lies in the manual nature of this process. I am considering creating a batch file to launch the URL with "start ?", and scheduling a task in Windows to run this batch file daily. However, the browser does not close automatically after loading the page, resulting in multiple windows being left open.

My attempted solutions:

I have experimented with JavaScript to address this issue, but I consistently encounter the following message:

scripts may close only the windows that were opened by it

Despite using various JavaScript functions such as "window.close()", the windows do not close as intended.

Chrome and Firefox display this message, while Internet Explorer prompts me with a confirmation pop-up before closing the window.

javascript asp.net windows batch-file

Answer 1

Answer №1

If you're in need of a solution, consider utilizing a headless browser such as PhantomJS (which is essentially a WebKit browser without a graphical interface). I suggest leveraging CasperJS for creating scripts with even more simplicity...

Firstly, ensure Phantom and Casper are installed globally on your system. Then, proceed to create a basic automation script like the one below:

var casper = require('casper').create();

casper.start('http://myapplication.com/DoStuff.aspx');

casper.then(function() {
  // Implement desired actions here...
});

casper.run();

To automate this process, schedule a cron job (or Windows equivalent) to run the script using the casperjs binary. This approach should effectively address your requirements...

Answer 2

If you're in need of a solution, consider utilizing a headless browser such as PhantomJS (which is essentially a WebKit browser without a graphical interface). I suggest leveraging CasperJS for creating scripts with even more simplicity...

Firstly, ensure Phantom and Casper are installed globally on your system. Then, proceed to create a basic automation script like the one below:

var casper = require('casper').create();

casper.start('http://myapplication.com/DoStuff.aspx');

casper.then(function() {
  // Implement desired actions here...
});

casper.run();

To automate this process, schedule a cron job (or Windows equivalent) to run the script using the casperjs binary. This approach should effectively address your requirements...

Answer 3

Answer №2

Utilizing batch files exclusively because I firmly believe that JavaScript is not necessary for this task.

::start a new browser session at the specified URL
start iexplore "http://www.google.com"
::wait for any processes to complete, if necessary
timeout 15
::terminate the browser process
taskkill /im iexplore.exe /f /t

If running on an unattended machine, and you are aware that the last session logged into will be the same as the next one, then it can be assumed that Internet Explorer is already open in the session you are about to start. In this case, the script order can be reversed without much concern for timing.

::terminate the already opened browser
taskkill /im iexplore.exe /f /t
::start a new browser session at the specified URL
start iexplore "http://www.google.com"
::if waiting is required, but duration is uncertain... keep the browser window open. It will be closed the next time the batch file runs anyway.

Answer 4

Utilizing batch files exclusively because I firmly believe that JavaScript is not necessary for this task.

::start a new browser session at the specified URL
start iexplore "http://www.google.com"
::wait for any processes to complete, if necessary
timeout 15
::terminate the browser process
taskkill /im iexplore.exe /f /t

If running on an unattended machine, and you are aware that the last session logged into will be the same as the next one, then it can be assumed that Internet Explorer is already open in the session you are about to start. In this case, the script order can be reversed without much concern for timing.

::terminate the already opened browser
taskkill /im iexplore.exe /f /t
::start a new browser session at the specified URL
start iexplore "http://www.google.com"
::if waiting is required, but duration is uncertain... keep the browser window open. It will be closed the next time the batch file runs anyway.

Answer 5

Answer №3

When working with *nix systems, you can easily create a bash script that includes:

#!/bin/bash

/usr/bin/chromium-browser --user-data-dir="/home/USER/.config/chromium-no-flags" "http://myapplication.com/DoStuff.aspx"

In the DoStuff.aspx file, utilize functions like setTimeout() to trigger window.close() once the task is finished.

setTimeout(close, 10000)

Alternatively, you can use a Promise to handle asynchronous tasks and then close the window:

new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
  // do asynchronous stuff
  resolve(/* value */)
})
.then(close)
.catch(close)

If you're looking for the Windows equivalent of cron, check out these resources:

What is the Windows version of cron?
Windows equivalent to cron?

For additional information and solutions, take a look at:

Close google chrome open in app mode via command line
Open Chrome from command line and wait till it's closed
Close programs from the command line (Windows)
Killing all instances of Chrome on the command-line?

Answer 6

When working with *nix systems, you can easily create a bash script that includes:

#!/bin/bash

/usr/bin/chromium-browser --user-data-dir="/home/USER/.config/chromium-no-flags" "http://myapplication.com/DoStuff.aspx"

In the DoStuff.aspx file, utilize functions like setTimeout() to trigger window.close() once the task is finished.

setTimeout(close, 10000)

Alternatively, you can use a Promise to handle asynchronous tasks and then close the window:

new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
  // do asynchronous stuff
  resolve(/* value */)
})
.then(close)
.catch(close)

If you're looking for the Windows equivalent of cron, check out these resources:

What is the Windows version of cron?
Windows equivalent to cron?

For additional information and solutions, take a look at:

Close google chrome open in app mode via command line
Open Chrome from command line and wait till it's closed
Close programs from the command line (Windows)
Killing all instances of Chrome on the command-line?

Is there a way to program JavaScript to automatically close a webpage?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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