Change the URL in the browser without loading the new page using JavaScript

Question

How would I have a JavaScript action that may have some effects on the current page but would also change the URL in the browser so if the user hits reload or bookmark, then

Answer 1

With HTML 5, use the history.pushState function. As an example:

and a href:

Click to change url to bar.html

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If you want to change the URL without adding an entry to the back button list, use history.replaceState instead.