How to access JS variable in C#

Question

Let's say I have

<div id="blah">500</div>

(Context: asp.net aspx page) How do I allow a c# code access that value?

<%
    int numberiwant = ###; // Ideally 500
%>

I was thinking of something along the lines of jQuery:

<script type="text/javascript">
var value = $('#blah').html();
// Then do some magic and pass to c#?
</script>

Is there a better way?

Answer 1

Ajax, search for it, read about it, find a good library and start implementing

Answer 2

Server side won't ever have direct access to client's variables (javascript). You have to send them to the server somehow, either via query or post, or through AJAX.

Answer 3

You can use a server-side div instead, like i.e;

<asp:Panel ID="blah" runat="server">500</asp:Panel>

Then you can access it and its contents server-side.

Alternatively;

<div id="blah"><asp:Literal ID="blahContent" runat="server" Text="500" /></div>

UPDATE: After the question was clarified, it is clear this won't work. The only solution then is to use javascript to get the value, then AJAX to send it to the server.

Answer 4

Use a hidden input box

<input id="hiddenControl" type="hidden" runat="server" />

Put your value in the input box with javascript

//call this method before you postback, maybe on form submit
function SetPostbackValues() {
  var hiddenControl = '<%= hiddenControl.ClientID %>';
  document.getElementById(hiddenControl).value = 500; 
  //or some other code to get your value
}

Access the value with the input box on the server side

protected void btnSubmit_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) {
   var hiddenValue = hiddenControl.Value;
}

Answer 5

The C# code inside <% .. %> is run on the server when the HTML is generated. When the value updates via AJAX, it all happens on the client - long after the C# has finished running.