How can I add or update a query string parameter?

Question

With javascript how can I add a query string parameter to the url if not present or if it present, update the current value? I am using jquery for my client side development

Answer 1

window.location.search is read/write.

However - modifying the query string will redirect the page you're on and cause a refresh from the server.

If what you're attempting to do is maintain client side state (and potentially make it bookmark-able), you'll want to modify the URL hash instead of the query string, which keeps you on the same page (window.location.hash is read/write). This is how web sites like twitter.com do this.

You'll also want the back button to work, you'll have to bind javascript events to the hash change event, a good plugin for that is http://benalman.com/projects/jquery-hashchange-plugin/