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Build an Quotes Generator using JavaScript | Project 4 | Cyber Lab Computer Institute

Education

Introduction

Welcome to the fourth day of our JavaScript project series! In today's video, we will be creating a simple quotes generator using a free API. Let’s dive into how this project will look and function.

Project Overview

Our project consists of a straightforward layout where quotes are displayed along with the author's name. Below this, there is a button that, when clicked, will fetch new quotes and display them on the page.

Layout Structure

The layout is created using HTML. It includes:

  • A heading where the quote will be shown.
  • A paragraph tag for the author's name.
  • A button that allows users to fetch new quotes.

The styling is intentionally simple, making it easy for anyone to replicate.

API Overview

We have created a basic API that provides us with quotes. To test it, we can use Postman to see the response format. The response typically contains an ID, content (the quote), and the author's name. For our project, we will only use the content and the author's name.

Back-End Coding

Now, let’s move on to the coding part in the index.js file, where we will implement the functionality of our quotes generator.

Step 1: Fetching Quotes

We will define a function called generateQuotes() that will use the fetch method to obtain quotes from the API. Here’s a brief breakdown of how this function will operate:

  • Use the fetch method to call our API URL.
  • Handle the response by converting it to JSON format.
  • Extract the necessary details (content and author) from the response.

Step 2: Displaying Quotes

Once we retrieve the data, we will display the quote and the author in the HTML where we have defined placeholders using getElementById.

  • The content will be injected into the heading tag.
  • The author’s name will be injected into the paragraph tag.

Step 3: Error Handling

We will include a catch method to handle any errors that might occur. It will log errors to the console for debugging.

Step 4: Event Listener for Button

Next, we need to wire up the functionality such that when the user clicks on the “New Quote” button, the generateQuotes() function is called. We will do this by attaching an event listener to the button.

Step 5: Automatic Quote Generation

To enhance user experience, we’ll also make sure that a quote is generated when the page loads by calling the generateQuotes() function in the initial execution context.

Final Steps

After writing the code and debugging, we check the functionality. After refreshing the page, if everything is set up correctly, we should see a new quote along with the author's name each time we click the button.

Conclusion

That summarizes the project for today: creating a simple quotes generator using JavaScript and a free API. This project not only helps you practice your JavaScript skills but also familiarizes you with API usage.

Keywords

JavaScript, Quotes Generator, Project 4, API, Fetch, HTML, Event Listener, Cyber Lab Computer Institute

FAQ

Q1: What technologies are used in this project?
A1: The project utilizes HTML, JavaScript, and a free API to fetch quotes.

Q2: How does the quotes generator work?
A2: It fetches data from an API and displays random quotes and authors when the button is clicked or on page load.

Q3: Can I modify the layout and design?
A3: Yes! The styling is intentionally kept simple for easy customization.

Q4: What error handling is included in the project?
A4: The project includes a catch method that logs any errors encountered during the API call to the console.

Q5: Where can I find the code for this project?
A5: The code can typically be found in your project file structure, specifically in the index.js file.