Sometimes your Rails code will need to generate JavaScript, and not always in the context of RJS, as described in Chapter 16. These helper methods make it simpler to add basic JavaScript functionality to your pages, and remove the need to code some kinds of simple JavaScript by hand:
button_to_function
Creates a button that will call a JavaScript function using
its onclick
handler. It accepts
a block of code, which works like RJS.
define_javascript_functions
Creates a link to Prototype and other JavaScript files, but
is best avoided. Use javascript_include_tag
instead.
escape_javascript
Reformats JavaScript containing carriage returns and quotes so that it can safely be put into HTML attribute values.
javascript_tag
Creates a script
tag.
Again, javascript_include_tag
may be a better option.
link_to_function
Creates a link that will call a JavaScript function. Like
button_to_function
, it also can
take a block that works like RJS.