How does one return data to the original caller function in Javascript?

Question

I have a problem returning data back to the function I want it returned to. Code below:

function ioServer(request_data, callback)
{
    $.ajax({
        cach         


        

Answer 1

Instead of implementing blocking to simulate a synchronous call like someone else previously posted, just make the AJAX call itself synchronous and update your success wrapper:

function ioServer(request_data, callback) {
    var response = null;
    $.ajax({
        cache: false,
        data: "request=" + request_data,
        dataType: "json",
        error: function(XMLHttpRequest, textStatus, errorThrown){},
        success: function(response_data, textStatus) {
                response = callback(response_data);
        },
        timeout: 5000,
        type: "POST",
        url: "/portal/index.php/async",
        async: false
    });

    return response;
}

Edit: Although useful, this is sorta against the grain of "normal" AJAX use. I would suggest changing your approach instead.