[Javascript] How do I located a window I opened?

[Peter-Paul Koch]

>FACTS:
>
>the window object is the global object for client-side JavaScript and all 
>global variables are properties of the window object
>
>and the window object that represents a top-level browser window exists as 
>long as that window exists.
>
>and a reference to the window object remains valid regardless of how many 
>web pages the window loads and unloads...

but a window object is only accessible from a window object that has some 
kind of relation with it.

>soooo...
>
>QUESTION:
>
>How do I reference a window that I named
>
>using the window.name ="mywindow"

As far as I know you can only do that in pure JavaScript if the window is

1) either a child frame or a parent window of the window the script is in
2) the window the script is in has either been opened by or has opened the 
other window

If there is no relation at all between the two windows (if the user has 
started up both independently), there is no direct communication possible. 
At least, that's what I think and I tried some strange things!
Note that the TARGET attribute of the A tag does allow this kind of 
communication, a simple TARGET="mywindow".

What you can do is

<A HREF="javascript:someFunction()" TARGET="mywindow">

and the function someFunction() which resides in the other window will be 
executed. So it is possible to call scripts in the other window. But since 
JavaScript still doesn't allow you to refer to the other window the scripts 
would have to be called by link tags like the above.

In short, this is a complex but fascinating subject.

ppk


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