Run Django function from Javascript command

Question

I'm trying to have Django to run a function when I tell it based off a JavaScript button. How do I accomplish this? Where do I write the Django function?

JavaScript in main.html:

            function mainFunction(){
            alert("Beginning API Main Function");

                $.ajax({
                    type: 'POST',
                    url: 'livestream/postdata/',
                    success: function(){alert('DONE!');},
                    error:function(){alert('ERROR!');},
            });
            alert("ENDING API MAIN FUNCTION");
        }

Urls.py:

    url(r'^postdata$', 'livestream.views.postdata', name='postdata')

Views.py:

def postdata(request):

    r = ...api... (I know that the api works)
    print(r.text)

When I run the function 'mainFunction()' I get the two alerts and then another that says 'ERROR'. Why is this?

Answer 1

Set up a route in your urls.py file

url(r'^action/$', 'yourproject.views.action', name='action')

In your views.py file, you would create that action.

def action(request):
  # do your magic!

Then, when someone interacts with that button, do an ajax call that hits the URL at /action.

Answer 2

You add a listener to the button which makes an ajax call when fired. In your view.py you handle the response for that ajax call.

Answer 3

@HieuNguyen

Thank You for answering my question. It was through chat, so I'll write down, what worked.

1. in ajax need a '/' before lifestream. /livestream/postdata/
2. url(r'^postdata/$', 'livestream.views.postdata', name='postdata')

3. in views.py

   before function I needed @csrf_exempt

   return HttpResponse(r)