Copying array in $http.post method

Question

$scope.openDocImg = function(id, e){
    var data = [];

    ...

    $http.post("/showDocument", cid).then(function(response){
        data = response.data.slice(0);
        console.log(data);
    });

    console.log(data.length);  //displays 0
    console.log(data);

    ...
}

I don't get it completely why the data in the post method is filled with content and the outside isn't. Is it because of the variable scope inside and outside the function?

And how do I copy the content to the outer scope?

Mihai Alexandru-Ionut · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-07T12:51:44.150

1

Since $http.post method is executed asynchronous, console.log(data.length); statement is executed before you're receiving response from server.

So that's why you're receiving 0 when you're trying to log the length of data.

You should use a callback function.

function postRequest(callback){
  $http.post("/showDocument", cid).then(function(response){
    callback(response.data.slice(0));
  });
}

$scope.openDocImg = function(id, e){
    var data = [];

    ...

    postRequest(function(data){
       console.log(data.length); 
       console.log(data);
    });

    ...
}

edited Jan 07 '19 at 12:51

answered Jan 07 '19 at 12:44

Mihai Alexandru-Ionut

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So there's no way to copy it directly to the outer scope and I should work inside the postRequest function? – temp Jan 07 '19 at 12:48
@temp, no, you have to use callback like in my answer or promises. – Mihai Alexandru-Ionut Jan 07 '19 at 12:50
Okay, thank you! I'll try this out. – temp Jan 07 '19 at 12:50

Copying array in $http.post method

1 Answers1