How to return data from PHP to a jQuery ajax call

Question

I am posting some data using ajax. I want to manipulate that data and return to to the calling jQuery script.

Here is my jQuery:

$.ajax({
  type: "POST",
  url: "somescript.php",
  datatype: "html",
  data: dataString,
  success: function() {
    //do something;
    }
});

Here is my somescript.php on the server:

  <?php
    //manipulate data
    $output = some_function(); //function outputs a comma-separated string
    return $output;
  ?>

Am I doing this correctly on the server side, and how do I access the return string when the ajax call completes?

Using success: function(data) {alert(data);} alerts null.

user191688
– user191688

2010-03-09 17:35:11 +00:00
Commented Mar 9, 2010 at 17:35 — user191688
– user191688, Commented Mar 9, 2010 at 17:35

user191688 · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-09 17:57:11Z

83

I figured it out. Need to use echo in PHP instead of return.

<?php 
  $output = some_function();
  echo $output;
?>

And the jQ:

success: function(data) {
  doSomething(data);
}

answered Mar 9, 2010 at 17:57

user191688

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4 Comments

Arun Kumar Over a year ago

if $output is an array, how will you return that array ?

Máxima Alekz Over a year ago

If $output is an array, then use json_encode so: echo json_encode($output)

XTard Over a year ago

or do a print_r($var), but getting it as an json object is better

mLstudent33 Over a year ago

stackoverflow.com/a/7064478/13865853 if you want to return JSON I believe, just saw this and have not tried yet. echo to return values is totally foreign to me coming form Python.

BenMorel · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-06 13:04:23Z

18

It's an argument passed to your success function:

$.ajax({
  type: "POST",
  url: "somescript.php",
  datatype: "html",
  data: dataString,
  success: function(data) {
    alert(data);
    }
});

The full signature is success(data, textStatus, XMLHttpRequest), but you can use just he first argument if it's a simple string coming back. As always, see the docs for a full explanation :)

edited Jan 6, 2014 at 13:04

BenMorel

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answered Mar 9, 2010 at 16:47

Nick Craver

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Comments

DEEPAK · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-27 11:47:53Z

5

based on accepted answer

$output = some_function();
  echo $output;

if it results array then use json_encode it will result json array which is supportable by javascript

$output = some_function();
  echo json_encode($output);

If someone wants to stop execution after you echo some result use exit method of php. It will work like return keyword

$output = some_function();
  echo $output;
exit;

answered Sep 27, 2019 at 11:47

DEEPAK

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Comments

Aaron · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-09 16:48:53Z

2

Yes, the way you are doing it is perfectly legitimate. To access that data on the client side, edit your success function to accept a parameter: data.

$.ajax({
    type: "POST",
    url: "somescript.php",
    datatype: "html",
    data: dataString,
    success: function(data) {
        doSomething(data);
    }
});

answered Mar 9, 2010 at 16:48

Aaron

7,1484 gold badges34 silver badges48 bronze badges

1 Comment

user191688 Over a year ago

I thought so, but alert(data) is popping up null. And I know $output in the PHP is not null. I'll try textStatus.

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