Testing location_type of address geocoder

[Bob Heitzman]

I'm new to Javascript...

I'm try to test the return from a geocoder request. I want to warn the user if the location_type is not ROOFTOP. 

When I try to reference location_top I get "undefined." e.g. (with or w/o the .toString)

console.log("location_type: " + results[0].location_type.toString);

Shouldn't I be able to do this:

    if (results[0].location_type.toString != "ROOFTOP"){
        alert("An exact address match was not found - marker shows approximate location.");
    };

Also... I'm testing the top most, I assume best, response - is that a valid?

And I also assume there will always be at least one response - is that true?

Here is the response I am testing:

1. results: Array[1]
1. 0: Object
1. address_components: Array[8]
2. formatted_address: "3433 Roberto Ct, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA"
3. geometry: Object
1. location: P
2. location_type: "ROOFTOP"

[Rossko]

> Also... I'm testing the top most, I assume best, response - is that a valid?

That's up to your definition of 'best'

> And I also assume there will always be at least one response - is that true?

No, garbage addresses will not be found. Check for existence of
results before trying to use them.

>    1. results: Array[1]
>                1. 0: Object
>                   1. address_components: Array[8]
>                   2. formatted_address: "3433 Roberto Ct, San Luis Obispo,
>                   CA 93401, USA"
>                   3. geometry: Object
>                      1. location: P
>                      2. location_type: "ROOFTOP"

Wouldn't you want to be examining results[0].geometry.location_type ?

[Bob Heitzman]

Thanks - geometry.location_type was correct - I'll have to watch using code from other posts....

It appears that a totally junk address returns an error ZERO RESULTS, if OK is returned I think I'm safe in that at least one record is present.

"Best" in my case is ROOFTOP so I also think it is semi-safe to assume that if multiple records are return the top most will be ROOFTOP, there may be others I suppose with ROOFTOP. I'm displaying a marker for the user to verify so.....

[Andrew Leach]

On 8 September 2011 21:12, Bob Heitzman <rhei...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I also think it is semi-safe to assume that
> if multiple records are return the top most will be ROOFTOP, there may be
> others I suppose with ROOFTOP.

(a) It's not safe at all to assume that.
(b) Only one can be rooftop, rather by definition!

Always test all the data returned.

[JKurtock]

Remember that the geocoder service is asynchronous. If you test a
value and get "undefined," that is almost a Hallmark of testing the
variable before the service has returned.

One other point that might be of interest to you. When I include the
apt number in any address, I do not get "Rooftop". But if I simply
peel the apartment number off, I get "Rooftop." So don't be too quick
to assume that your "best" responses are the ones with location_type =
"Rooftop".

- Jeff

On Sep 8, 1:59 pm, Andrew Leach <andrew.leac...@gmail.com> wrote: