How to Obtain the Value of a ***Global*** Application Item from JS

Question

If we declare an Application Item, i.e. NOT a page level item, how do we obtain the value of that Item in a JavaScript Dynamic Action on a page?
For example, we declare a "global variable" as an Application Item named DEFAULT_AJAX_SEPERATOR and set its value with an Application Computation "On New Instance" At some later point, on a page in the application, we'd like to obtain the value of DEFAULT_AJAX_SEPERATOR via JavaScript.
The page* level item syntax...
$v( 'DEFAULT_AJAX_SEPERATOR' );...does not work. I do understand why this is as $v can only access items on the page. However, APEX is clearly able to obtain such global values since, for example, they are available in PL/SQL blocks. Also, I know it's on the session object because I can see it when viewing the session.
So...what's the secret sauce for obtaining that value?
Thanks,
-Joe

Answer 1

Hello Joe,
>> on a page in the application, we'd like to obtain the value of DEFAULT_AJAX_SEPERATOR via JavaScript … So...what's the secret sauce for obtaining that value?
The secret is to define a global JavaScript variable and set it with the value of the item, using Substitution String notation. For example:
var default_ajax_separator = &DEFAULT_AJAX_SEPERATOR.This code should be placed in the Function and Global Variable Declaration field, under the JavaScript section of the Edit Page. As we are talking about a global JavaScript variable, it will be available to every other JavaScript code on the page.
Regards,
Arie.
♦ Please remember to mark appropriate posts as correct/helpful. For the long run, it will benefit us all.
♦ Author of Oracle Application Express 3.2 – The Essentials and More