Retrieve the complete content of a web page, including all HTML and JavaScript elements

Question

Retrieve the complete content of a web page, including all HTML and JavaScript elements

After spending several hours researching and experimenting, I find myself a bit confused about the topic at hand.

My issue: I am attempting to retrieve the complete HTML content (including dynamically generated JavaScript content) of a specific web page. Here's what I've already attempted:

I initially tried using Jsoup, but had to switch gears due to its inability to handle JavaScript content.
I experimented with HtmlUtil, but encountered numerous errors while loading the targeted webpage (such as Css error, runtimeError, EcmaError, etc.)
I resorted to using the basic Chrome function to save the entire webpage content, then utilized the Jsoup library to extract the specific information I needed. This workaround proved to be the only way to achieve my desired results.

My current question is: How can I replicate the functionality of the "save as" feature in a browser, or more broadly, how can I extract the full HTML content first and then utilize Jsoup to parse the static HTML content effectively?

Thank you in advance for your guidance and assistance!

javascript jquery html css jsoup

Answer 1

Answer №1

I've finally achieved what I was aiming for. I'll do my best to explain it for those who may need assistance!

Alright! The process consists of two steps:

First, retrieve the final content HTML (including JavaScript content) as if you were browsing the webpage and save it to a simple file.html
Next, utilize the Jsoup library to extract the desired content from the saved file, file.html.

1 - Obtain HTML content and save it

For this step, you'll need to download phantomjs and use it to fetch the content. Here's the code to grab the target page. Just replace myTargetedPage.com with the URL of the desired page and the filename mySaveFile.html.

var page = require('webpage').create();
var fs = require('fs');
page.open('http://myTargetedPage.com', function () {
    page.evaluate();
    fs.write('mySaveFile.html', page.content, 'w');
    phantom.exit();
});

As you can see, the saved file mirrors the content loaded in your browser.

2 - Extract the desired content

Now, we'll employ Java and the Jsoup library to retrieve the specific content. In my case, I wish to extract this section from the webpage:

/* HTML CONTENT */
<span class="my class" data="data1"></span>
/* HTML CONTENT */
<span class="my class" data="data2"></span>
/* HTML CONTENT */

To accomplish this, modify thePathToYourSavedFile.html in the following code:

public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
    String url = "thePathToYourSavedFile.html";

    Document document = Jsoup.connect(url).userAgent("Mozilla").get();

    Elements spanList= document.select("span");

   for (Element span: spanList) {
       if(span.attr("class").equals("my class")){
           String data = span.attr("data");
           System.out.println("data : "+data);             
       }
    }       
}

Enjoy!

Answer 2

I've finally achieved what I was aiming for. I'll do my best to explain it for those who may need assistance!

Alright! The process consists of two steps:

First, retrieve the final content HTML (including JavaScript content) as if you were browsing the webpage and save it to a simple file.html
Next, utilize the Jsoup library to extract the desired content from the saved file, file.html.

1 - Obtain HTML content and save it

For this step, you'll need to download phantomjs and use it to fetch the content. Here's the code to grab the target page. Just replace myTargetedPage.com with the URL of the desired page and the filename mySaveFile.html.

var page = require('webpage').create();
var fs = require('fs');
page.open('http://myTargetedPage.com', function () {
    page.evaluate();
    fs.write('mySaveFile.html', page.content, 'w');
    phantom.exit();
});

As you can see, the saved file mirrors the content loaded in your browser.

2 - Extract the desired content

Now, we'll employ Java and the Jsoup library to retrieve the specific content. In my case, I wish to extract this section from the webpage:

/* HTML CONTENT */
<span class="my class" data="data1"></span>
/* HTML CONTENT */
<span class="my class" data="data2"></span>
/* HTML CONTENT */

To accomplish this, modify thePathToYourSavedFile.html in the following code:

public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
    String url = "thePathToYourSavedFile.html";

    Document document = Jsoup.connect(url).userAgent("Mozilla").get();

    Elements spanList= document.select("span");

   for (Element span: spanList) {
       if(span.attr("class").equals("my class")){
           String data = span.attr("data");
           System.out.println("data : "+data);             
       }
    }       
}

Enjoy!

Answer 3

Answer №2

If you're searching for a convenient plugin that provides the functionality you need, look no further. This plugin allows you to easily assess a page and its features. While it may not be compatible with all browsers, it is available for some. You can find it here:

Once installed, you'll notice a small gear icon on the toolbar located at the top right of the page. This is where you'll find all the essential functions of the plugin.

Answer 4

If you're searching for a convenient plugin that provides the functionality you need, look no further. This plugin allows you to easily assess a page and its features. While it may not be compatible with all browsers, it is available for some. You can find it here:

Once installed, you'll notice a small gear icon on the toolbar located at the top right of the page. This is where you'll find all the essential functions of the plugin.

Retrieve the complete content of a web page, including all HTML and JavaScript elements

Answer №1

Answer №2

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