Subhash's Guide: JavaScript Windows

Window is the top object in the DOM hierarchy. And as any other object in the hierarchy, this too can be created manipulated and destroyed.

Opening a New Window

Syntax: window.open(url,name,features,replace);

The method open() should be called on the window object to open a window. A simple script showing how to open a window with the url 'http://www.indiwiz.com/' is given below:

<script language="JavaScript">
<!--
function popUp(){
window.open("http://www.indiwiz.com/");
}
//-->
</script>

This function may be called through any link(<a href="javascript:popUp();">XXX</a>), form element or automatically on document loading or on closing an existing window.

The url parameter of the method open() is mandatory. So what if you wanted to open a blank window? Then you have to pass a null string as url. The same example would be:
window.open('');

The second parameter of the method open() is name. This can be used with target attribute.

Another important parameter which the method open() accepts is the 'features'. Using various arguments within this parameter you can customize the look, size, display area etc. of the window. The various arguments within this parameter are listed below:

Features	Value
status	yes/no
location	yes/no
toolbar	yes/no
menubar	yes/no
scrollbars	yes/no
fullscreen	yes/no
resizable	yes/no
directories	yes/no
height	#(px.)
width	#(px.)
top, screenY	#(px.)
left, screenX	#(px.)

One thing you have to note is that all these arguments form part of a single parameter. Thus the whole argument should be placed within quotes.

The last in the list of parameters which the open() method accepts is the optional 'replace'. Unlike other parameters(which are strings), this one is a boolean argument. 'true' adds the displayed site to the browser history and vice versa.

Open a Window with the following:

• URL - http://www.indiwiz.com/
• Without status bar, location bar & tool bar.
• The height of the window is 500 pixels.
• The width 640 pixels.

The code is:

<script language="JavaScript">
<!--
function popUp(){
window.open("http://www.indiwiz.com/","subhash","status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,width=640,height=500",true);
}
//-->
</script>

Execute the script!

Closing a Window

Syntax: window.close();

The close() method doesn't take any arguments.