Understanding the process of linking JavaScript code to a database within the ASP.NET framework

Question

Understanding the process of linking JavaScript code to a database within the ASP.NET framework

I have been successfully using an ASP.NET application to connect to a SQL Server 2016 database. However, I now have a new task of incorporating Javascript into the code in order to retrieve data from the database and present it to the user. I am aware of the security risks associated with directly connecting to the database through Javascript, as it exposes sensitive information like usernames and passwords. Therefore, I am seeking a safer alternative that involves having the Javascript code call server-side code to fetch the data (which is stored in the database as JSON). While I understand that AJAX is used for this purpose, I am unsure of how to obtain the connection string required for AJAX to function. I have heard about Node.js, but given that we already have a server in place, I am feeling a bit perplexed. Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

On a side note, I have come across an explanation on why a direct connection is not advisable here. Although the top answer suggests using server-side languages like PHP, Java, or .NET for connecting to a SQL server, they did not elaborate on how to achieve this specifically with .NET.

javascript asp.net json .net database

Answer 1

Answer №1

When faced with a task like this, the key is to optimize the loading process in order to speed up the page loading time. One way to achieve this is by initially loading the user interface (UI) and then fetching the data asynchronously using JavaScript.

To implement this concept, you can follow these steps:

Create a method in your web form or controller (based on your technology) that loads the page without immediately fetching the data. Instead, it should load the UI with temporary placeholders.
On the UI side, set up a JavaScript function that triggers once the Document Object Model (DOM) has finished loading. This function will make a request to a backend method that retrieves the necessary data or HTML to populate the UI. The backend method should use a callback function to handle the response data and update the UI accordingly.
In your backend code (web form, controller, web service, API, etc.), create a method that handles the AJAX call from JavaScript. This method should securely retrieve data from the database using the connection string stored in the web application, send it back to the JavaScript function, and trigger the callback function to update the UI.

This approach has become a popular design pattern in modern web development. You can explore further examples of this pattern here.

Answer 2

When faced with a task like this, the key is to optimize the loading process in order to speed up the page loading time. One way to achieve this is by initially loading the user interface (UI) and then fetching the data asynchronously using JavaScript.

To implement this concept, you can follow these steps:

Create a method in your web form or controller (based on your technology) that loads the page without immediately fetching the data. Instead, it should load the UI with temporary placeholders.
On the UI side, set up a JavaScript function that triggers once the Document Object Model (DOM) has finished loading. This function will make a request to a backend method that retrieves the necessary data or HTML to populate the UI. The backend method should use a callback function to handle the response data and update the UI accordingly.
In your backend code (web form, controller, web service, API, etc.), create a method that handles the AJAX call from JavaScript. This method should securely retrieve data from the database using the connection string stored in the web application, send it back to the JavaScript function, and trigger the callback function to update the UI.

This approach has become a popular design pattern in modern web development. You can explore further examples of this pattern here.

Answer 3

Answer №2

I recently came across the solution I needed thanks to a suggestion from a colleague:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/web-api/overview/getting-started-with-aspnet-web-api/

In the event that the link stops working, the recommended solution involves utilizing Microsoft's Web API 2 along with ASP.NET and EntityFramework. This entails creating Models and controllers within Visual Studio, establishing a context that can be accessed via AJAX using routes defined in the RouteConfig accessed in the JavaScript as shown below:

var ViewModel = function () {
var self = this;
self.books = ko.observableArray();
self.error = ko.observable();

var booksUri = '/api/books/';

function ajaxHelper(uri, method, data) {
    self.error(''); // Clear error message
    return $.ajax({
        type: method,
        url: uri,
        dataType: 'json',
        contentType: 'application/json',
        data: data ? JSON.stringify(data) : null
    }).fail(function (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
        self.error(errorThrown);
    });
}

function getAllBooks() {
    ajaxHelper(booksUri, 'GET').done(function (data) {
        self.books(data);
    });
}

// Fetch the initial data.
getAllBooks();

};

Answer 4

I recently came across the solution I needed thanks to a suggestion from a colleague:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/web-api/overview/getting-started-with-aspnet-web-api/

In the event that the link stops working, the recommended solution involves utilizing Microsoft's Web API 2 along with ASP.NET and EntityFramework. This entails creating Models and controllers within Visual Studio, establishing a context that can be accessed via AJAX using routes defined in the RouteConfig accessed in the JavaScript as shown below:

var ViewModel = function () {
var self = this;
self.books = ko.observableArray();
self.error = ko.observable();

var booksUri = '/api/books/';

function ajaxHelper(uri, method, data) {
    self.error(''); // Clear error message
    return $.ajax({
        type: method,
        url: uri,
        dataType: 'json',
        contentType: 'application/json',
        data: data ? JSON.stringify(data) : null
    }).fail(function (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
        self.error(errorThrown);
    });
}

function getAllBooks() {
    ajaxHelper(booksUri, 'GET').done(function (data) {
        self.books(data);
    });
}

// Fetch the initial data.
getAllBooks();

};

Understanding the process of linking JavaScript code to a database within the ASP.NET framework

Answer №1

Answer №2

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