freeCodeCamp/guide/english/javascript/location-object/index.md

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Location Object

Location Object

The "Location" object provides an API (Application Programming Interface) which enables retrieval of a URL, setting of a URL, or access to parts of a URL. It is already implemented for you by default on the Window and Document objects. Note: There is no public standard that applies to the location object, but all major browsers support it.

Location Object Properties

Property Description
hash Sets or returns the anchor part (#) of a URL
host Sets or returns the hostname and port number of a URL
hostname Sets or returns the hostname of a URL
href Sets or returns the entire URL
origin Returns the protocol, hostname and port number of a URL
pathname Sets or returns the path name of a URL
port Sets or returns the port number of a URL
protocol Sets or returns the protocol of a URL
search Sets or returns the querystring part of a URL

Location Object Methods

Method Description
assign() Loads a new document
reload() Reloads the current document
replace() Replaces the current document with a new one

Examples

The location objects are accessible by:

    console.log(window.location);
    // > https://guide.freecodecamp.org/javascript/location-object
    console.log(document.location);
    // > https://guide.freecodecamp.org/javascript/location-object

You can also set the Location object of an HTML <a> element or an HTML <area> element programmatically with JavaScript.

    var anchor = document.createElement('a');
    anchor.url = "https://guide.freecodecamp.org/javascript/location-object";

Once you have an object with a URL set (including the window), the Location API allows you to access parts of the URL.

    console.log(anchor.protocol); 
    // > https:
    console.log(anchor.host);
    // > guide.freecodecamp.org (includes port number if applicable. Example: guide.freecodecamp.org:8080)

Other properties of "Location" you can access are:

  • anchor.hostname - guide.freecodecamp.org
  • anchor.port - 8080
  • anchor.pathname - /javascript/location-object
  • anchor.origin - https://developer.mozilla.org

If your URL contains parameters or hashes you can access them like so:

    // If your URL is https://guide.freecodecamp.org/javascript?param=location#other-properties
    console.log(window.location.search);
    // > "?param=location"
    console.log(document.location.hash);
    // > "#other-properties"

More Information:

W3C - Location Object Location