Dynamically load a JavaScript file

Question

How can you reliably and dynamically load a JavaScript file? This will can be used to implement a module or component that when \'initialized\' the component will dynamical

Answer 1

Here a simple example for a function to load JS files. Relevant points:

• you don't need jQuery, so you may use this initially to load also the jQuery.js file
• it is async with callback
• it ensures it loads only once, as it keeps an enclosure with the record of loaded urls, thus avoiding usage of network
• contrary to jQuery $.ajax or $.getScript you can use nonces, solving thus issues with CSP unsafe-inline. Just use the property script.nonce

var getScriptOnce = function() {

    var scriptArray = []; //array of urls (closure)

    //function to defer loading of script
    return function (url, callback){
        //the array doesn't have such url
        if (scriptArray.indexOf(url) === -1){

            var script=document.createElement('script');
            script.src=url;
            var head=document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0],
                done=false;

            script.onload=script.onreadystatechange = function(){
                if ( !done && (!this.readyState || this.readyState == 'loaded' || this.readyState == 'complete') ) {
                    done=true;
                    if (typeof callback === 'function') {
                        callback();
                    }
                    script.onload = script.onreadystatechange = null;
                    head.removeChild(script);

                    scriptArray.push(url);
                }
            };

            head.appendChild(script);
        }
    };
}();

Now you use it simply by

getScriptOnce("url_of_your_JS_file.js");