Can you manipulate a page's appearance Javascript?

**bmarone** · Apr 3rd, 2012, 10:54 AM

I know javascript can be used as a programming language for writing/creating text on a page, but could js also be used to manipulate a page's background color/decor and possibly create images, or allow for images to be uploaded by a user? Thanks.

Brandon

**Mike39** · Apr 3rd, 2012, 11:18 AM

Why not just use css? Or hell even wordpress instead haha

**murlin99** · Apr 3rd, 2012, 11:23 AM

You can do pretty much anything with java. It is not easy by far. For the most part I would have to agree with Mike39 on the Wordpress part. CSS is just style sheets so not so much the dynamic stuff it sounds like you are looking for. Joomla is also good, similar to Wordpress. If we knew what you were trying to do that may help us steer you in the correct direction.

**bmarone** · Apr 3rd, 2012, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by murlin99

You can do pretty much anything with java. It is not easy by far. For the most part I would have to agree with Mike39 on the Wordpress part. CSS is just style sheets so not so much the dynamic stuff it sounds like you are looking for. Joomla is also good, similar to Wordpress. If we knew what you were trying to do that may help us steer you in the correct direction.

I'm trying to create an HTML form where a user can enter a bg color of any choice, or decor, and the javascript will then follow through with their request. I'm not trying to create a website for myself, rather a product for users. Thanks.

**Mike39** · Apr 3rd, 2012, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by bmarone

I'm trying to create an HTML form where a user can enter a bg color of any choice, or decor, and the javascript will then follow through with their request. I'm not trying to create a website for myself, rather a product for users. Thanks.

oh my bad I mis-understood

**Icy** · Apr 3rd, 2012, 12:57 PM

css - How do I change the background color with Javascript? - Stack Overflow

**DangerDave** · Apr 3rd, 2012, 06:32 PM

You can use this:

JotForm · Easiest Form Builder

Free tool and all you have to do is cut and paste the code it generates for you...
It even sends the form data to any email you'd like. Will save you a ton of time and hassle!

Hope this helps...

**EastWind** · Apr 4th, 2012, 11:15 AM

Uhhh, that's the entire point of javascript to manipulate HTML DOM. Now to upload images, you are going to have to have some server side program like php, javascript is client side, but you can change almost 99% of everything the user can see with javascript. It's faster to use a javascript library like jquery.

**FastNAwesome** · Apr 7th, 2012, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by bmarone

I know javascript can be used as a programming language for writing/creating text on a page, but could js also be used to manipulate a page's background color/decor and possibly create images, or allow for images to be uploaded by a user? Thanks.

Brandon

What EastWind said. Yes you can. For simple stuff like background change, you don't need to rely on libraries like jQuery. Depends on your project. I include it by default in my projects as I utilize it a lot so it makes sense.

You'll find free tutorials on how to do this.

For image upload, here's a nice one:

jQuery File Upload Demo

This allows you easy file upload, image upload with thumbnail creation, users can drag n drop images to upload etc.

Now, if you decide to use it, then you'll need jQuery anyway, so in such case, you can do the rest of the stuff like background change in JS as well.

Hope this makes sense to you, it's simple once you get into it.

But, the images will be sent to your server, where your server-side script (in a server-side language, like php) will take care of it, and one of the things it needs to take care about is security, so that someone doesn't upload malicious code.

You can read up on that, or have someone "harden" your script, you will get a working server-side script with above plugin, but it's not super safe, it just works.

I'm a bit tired hope it doesn't show in the post, ask any questions if you have.

Someone mentioned JotForms, I don't recommend, be your own boss + it gets slow and I think limited to certain number after that you pay.