JavaScript has three kind of popup boxes: Alert box, Confirm box, and Prompt box.


Alert Box

An alert box is often used if you want to make sure information comes through to the user.

When an alert box pops up, the user will have to click "OK" to proceed.

Syntax
Code:
alert("sometext");
Example
Code:
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function show_alert()
{
alert("I am an alert box!");
}
</script>
</head>
<body>

<input type="button" onclick="show_alert()" value="Show alert box" />

</body>
</html>
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Confirm Box

A confirm box is often used if you want the user to verify or accept something.

When a confirm box pops up, the user will have to click either "OK" or "Cancel" to proceed.

If the user clicks "OK", the box returns true. If the user clicks "Cancel", the box returns false.

Syntax
Code:
confirm("sometext");
Example
Code:
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function show_confirm()
{
var r=confirm("Press a button");
if (r==true)
  {
  alert("You pressed OK!");
  }
else
  {
  alert("You pressed Cancel!");
  }
}
</script>
</head>
<body>

<input type="button" onclick="show_confirm()" value="Show confirm box" />

</body>
</html>
Try it yourself »


Prompt Box

A prompt box is often used if you want the user to input a value before entering a page.

When a prompt box pops up, the user will have to click either "OK" or "Cancel" to proceed after entering an input value.

If the user clicks "OK" the box returns the input value. If the user clicks "Cancel" the box returns null.

Syntax
Code:
prompt("sometext","defaultvalue");
Example
Code:
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
function show_prompt()
{
var name=prompt("Please enter your name","Harry Potter");
if (name!=null && name!="")
  {
  document.write("Hello " + name + "! How are you today?");
  }
}
</script>
</head>
<body>

<input type="button" onclick="show_prompt()" value="Show prompt box" />

</body>
</html>
Try it yourself »