Alert Message Using Input
from a Prompt Recipe

Purpose

This recipe opens a prompt dialog asking the user for information, then uses that information to customize an alert message.

Sample

Click here to test your knowledge.

Erratum

In the function as printed on p. 218, there is a closing parentheses missing after "desiredMessage". The line should read:
{alert("desiredMessage")}

The full correct function is shown below.

Function

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> function test() { var foo=prompt("Question?", "defaultResponse") if(foo=="desiredResponse") {alert("desiredMessage")} else {alert("alternateMessage")} } </SCRIPT>

where

	`foo`	is a variable used to access the name property of the graphic or other element modified by the functions.
	`Question`	is the question the prompt box poses to the user;
	`defaultResponse`	is the answer used if the user does not respond to the Question;
	`desiredResponse`	is the correct or preferred answer to the Question;
	`desiredMessage`	is the computer response to the correct or preferred answer (the `desiredResponse`);
	`alternateMessage`	is the computer response to any answer other than the one specified as correct or preferred.

Call within the element

<P onClick="test()">Click here to test your knowledge.</P>

Possible modifications

In the chapter, this example was used in a primitive passwording scheme that greeted an approved user by name. It could also be used in a multiple-choice quiz situation to give reinforcement for correct answers (“Good job!”) or ask the user to “Try again.”

Alert Message Using Input from a Prompt Recipe

Purpose

Sample

Erratum

Function

Call within the element

Possible modifications

Alert Message Using Input
from a Prompt Recipe