How to include a classic asp written in Javascript from another classic asp file also written in Javascript?

Question

I am working on a classic ASP project and unfortunately cannot switch to another technology. I learned that it's possible to write server side classic ASP code in Javascript (ES3) so I did some investigation but I cannot find a way to include another JS based ASP file from my JS based ASP file.

Here is the JS based ASP file I want to import:

includejs.asp

<%@ Language=JavaScript %>

<%
function myFunction(p1, p2) {
    return p1 + p2;
}

%>

And I tried the following 2 ways, neither worked

myjs1.asp

<%@ Language=JavaScript %>

<script language="JScript" runat="server" src="./includejs.asp"></script>

<%
    // myFunction is from another file
    Response.Write(myFunction(20,2));
%>

myjs2.asp

<%@ Language=JavaScript %>

<!--#include virtual="./includejs.asp" -->

<%
    // myFunction is from another file
    Response.Write(myFunction(20,2));
%>

My findings

I was able to import a pure javascript file like the following with my first attempt

function myFunction(p1, p2) {
    return p1 + p2;
}

but I want to include a ASP wrapped javascript so that I can include other files from the included Js file too.

`#include` syntax is IIS Server Side Includes, you should be able to use it fine with JScript. Just wrap include file `includejs.asp` in a ` — user692942, Jul 23 '20 at 15:38
Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I updated my question to include what I tried @Lankymart — Alex, Jul 23 '20 at 15:47
Remove the `<@ Language=` line from the include file, as it will result in multiple page directives in the including file. — Flakes, Jul 24 '20 at 05:56
Tbh @Dijkgraaf, I think the `language` attribute accepts both but treats them both as [tag:JScript]. — user692942, Jul 24 '20 at 08:20
Also, this might be useful - [What are the functional differences between JScript, JavaScript, and ECMA Script?](https://stackoverflow.com/a/18793640) — user692942, Jul 24 '20 at 08:23
@Flakes good catch, I did hint at this in my comment but not as clear. — user692942, Jul 27 '20 at 10:32

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 25 '20 at 02:02

I finally figured it out. Thanks for @Flakes's comment about I shouldn't put <%@ Language=JavaScript %> again in the include file, which was exactly the reason why my second approach above didn't work.

Here I put a more complicated working example just in case anyone needs it.

myjs.asp includes lib.asp which includes lib2.asp

myjs.asp - lib2() function is from lib2.asp which is included by lib.asp

<%@ Language=JavaScript %>

<!--#include file="lib.asp" -->

<%
    Response.Write(lib());
    Response.Write(lib2());
%>

lib.asp

<!--#include file="lib2.asp" -->

<%
function lib() {
    return "this is lib.asp";
}
%>

lib2.asp

<%
function lib2() {
    return "this is lib2.asp";
}

function myFunction2(p1, p2) {
    return p1 * p2;
}
%>

Many things can go wrong, so you have to be careful in every detail.

One thing to note is that if you are using relative path like I do and your lib.asp is in the same directory, you have to use file=... instead of virtual=... during #include statement. Check here to see more details about file vs. virtual in include directive

How to include a classic asp written in Javascript from another classic asp file also written in Javascript?

1 Answers1