using # in URL as value key

Question

My java server works as follows:

http://locahost:5555/?search="java"

The above link would work fine. However, if I ever want to use "#" as part of search string, it all goes wrong. For example:

http://locahost:5555/?search="c#"

For some reason everything after "#" gets ignored. If I use the decoded version of "#" it works fine again. For example:

http://locahost:5555/?search="c%23"

The system should be used by people that don't understand url encoding so they would never put %23 instead of #. Is there anyway around it?

Will that people write the url and its parameters directly in the address bar? If not, how is the url built? — BackSlash, Aug 01 '14 at 08:47
People not understanding URL encoding shouldn't use the browser address bar to search for things. They should fill an input field in a form, then submit the form. The form will encode URL parameters properly. — JB Nizet, Aug 01 '14 at 08:48
@JBNizet, its just a test server, but at work is getting quite popular and they use it on daily bases. so I was hoping to get it working right. — nafas, Aug 01 '14 at 08:50
The server being a test server doesn't prevent you from providing a form to fill and submit. Where's the problem? — JB Nizet, Aug 01 '14 at 08:51
if at work that kind of searching gets popular they should know about encoding those special characters — Ker p pag, Aug 01 '14 at 08:53
@Kerppag problem is that search can be quite long. sometimes 300 chars or so. — nafas, Aug 01 '14 at 08:54
you could refer to my answer below. it is just a few lines of code — Ker p pag, Aug 01 '14 at 08:54

Suresh Atta · Answer 1 · 2014-08-01T09:07:48.563

5

Other than encoding it there is no way around it. More over the string after # treats as the location of the URL.

String after # will not be passed to the server through GET parameters. Use POST method instead.

edited Aug 01 '14 at 09:07

answered Aug 01 '14 at 08:47

Suresh Atta

hmm, I see. thanks for the info. it was a long shot anyways :) – nafas Aug 01 '14 at 08:51

Ker p pag · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-01T08:56:42.787

1

the user supposedly should not access the url directly so if they put "c#" in the url there would be no process on the other hand you could use

<form action="yourcontroller" method="post">

   <input type="text" name="txtSearch" />

   <input type="submit" value="search"/>

</form>

with this, it will take care of the special characters like "#" you mentioned.

don't forget to catch the parameter in your controller

request.getParamter("txtSearch");

edited Aug 01 '14 at 08:56

answered Aug 01 '14 at 08:50

Ker p pag

that's probably the best solution to get it working properly. – nafas Aug 01 '14 at 08:54

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 01 '14 at 08:49

0

It is in the browser. The server never gets a request with the hashtag (#) symbol, just up to the symbol.

A javascript workaround is probably a bad idea.

answered Aug 01 '14 at 08:49

Ragnar123

3 Answers3