How To Read An External Local Json File In Javascript

Reading an external local JSON file in JavaScript can be a useful skill when building web applications that need to load data from a file on the user's device. This process allows you to access and parse data stored in a JSON format, enabling you to display it dynamically within your application. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to read an external local JSON file in JavaScript, making your coding journey a bit smoother.

The first step in reading an external local JSON file is to create a file input element in your HTML code. This element will allow users to select the JSON file they want to read. You can add the following input element to your HTML file:

Next, you'll need to write the JavaScript code that handles the file input and reads the contents of the selected file. The following code snippet demonstrates how you can achieve this:

const fileInput = document.getElementById('fileInput');

fileInput.addEventListener('change', (event) => {
    const file = event.target.files[0];
    
    const reader = new FileReader();
    
    reader.onload = (e) => {
        const fileContent = e.target.result;
        const parsedData = JSON.parse(fileContent);
        
        // Handle the parsed data here
        console.log(parsedData);
    };
    
    reader.readAsText(file);
});

In the code snippet above, we first get a reference to the file input element by its ID. We then add an event listener to the file input that listens for changes (i.e., when a user selects a file). Once a file is selected, we create a new `FileReader` object to read the file's contents. When the file is successfully read, the `onload` event is triggered, and we can access the file's content using `e.target.result`. We then parse the JSON content using `JSON.parse()` to convert it into a JavaScript object.

After successfully reading and parsing the JSON data, you can now handle the parsed data as needed for your application. You can display the data on your web page, manipulate it, or perform any other operations based on your requirements.

Remember to handle errors appropriately when reading the file and parsing the JSON content. You can add error handling to your code to manage any exceptions that may occur during the process.

By following these steps and understanding how to read an external local JSON file in JavaScript, you can enhance the interactivity and functionality of your web applications. Practice implementing these techniques in your projects to become more proficient in working with JSON data and enriching your web development skills. Happy coding!