How can I use make HTTP calls to an API in Javascript?

Question

How can I use public APIs in a Javascript application? For example I want to make a call to the Zillow API using JQuery AJAX. When issuing the request in JQuery AJAX (shown below) I get the following error: XMLHttpRequest cannot load "MY HTTP REQUEST URL". Origin "MY WEB DOMAIN" is not allowed by Access-Control-Allow-Origin.

var requesturl = "http://www.zillow.com/webservice/GetRegionChildren.htm?zws-id="+zwsid+"&state="+state+"&city="+city+"&childtype=neighborhood";

Code:

var jqxhr = $.ajax({  
url: requesturl
})
.done(function(data) { 
    console.log(data);
});

I've also tried adding crossDomain, dataType and headers params (shown below), but they haven't helped.

var jqxhr = $.ajax({  
url: requesturl,
crossDomain: true,
dataType: 'xml',
headers: { 'Access-Control-Allow-Origin': '*' },
beforeSend: setHeader
})
.done(function(data) { 
    console.log(data);
});

possible duplicate: [Please explain JSONP](http://stackoverflow.com/q/2067472/417685) — Alexander, Aug 13 '12 at 14:11

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 13 '12 at 14:12

0

Most popular public API's support JSONP request. Refer API documentation for details.

Cross ajax domain request is restricted. So you will be needing to make JSONP request. Don't worry JQuery will handle most of it.

answered Aug 13 '12 at 14:12

Subir Kumar Sao

8,171
3
26
47

Well, JSONP works if the service that you're calling supports it. A service just doesn't provide data in a JSONP-friendly format. – David Hoerster Aug 13 '12 at 14:16
What can be done if JSONP requests aren't supported? It seems like only XML responses are allowed in this case – user1595566 Aug 13 '12 at 14:28
IMHO Instead of hacking around the browsers server side code will be most suitable. – Subir Kumar Sao Aug 13 '12 at 14:32
OK thanks, do you know of any examples of a such a thing done in PHP? – user1595566 Aug 13 '12 at 15:12

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 13 '12 at 14:18

0

Sounds like you need to register your url with Zillow, maybe contact them / hunt around on their doc pages. Also jquery has a get method which makes ajax requests even simpler. There's also getJSON if that is the return format.

answered Aug 13 '12 at 14:18

Iain_b

1,043
5
13

How can I use make HTTP calls to an API in Javascript?

2 Answers2