Avoiding multiple instances of the same JS file.

Question

I've found that loading the same javascript file twice or more (via PHP) can cause errors in IE (such as: line 1 char 1 code 0). This occurs when a webpage is constructed from nested templates - in this case, CakePHP.

Is there a way to include a file only once?

Perhaps, in CakePHP, it can be done by manipulating the $scripts_for_layout variable? For this to work, scripts would have to be loaded not-inline.

Edit: I'm using 1.2 so the $html->script option is not available. Shame as one of the options is 'once'[true|false]

Answer 1

Put all your JS files to use in an array. Then, make it unique and use CakePHP script method to include script files.

<?php
//earlier in code... add/edit values in this array
$scripts = array('jquery','wysiwyg','scripts');

//make it unique
$scripts = array_unique($scripts);

//Use CakePHP script method to load multiple external js files:
echo $html->script($scripts);
?>