Get The Current Domain Name With Javascript (Not the path, etc.)

In-depth Analysis and Pitfalls

Need to adapt functionality based on the domain for styling, redirection, or content serving? Here's how to efficiently fetch the domain name using JavaScript.

Anatomy of the location object

The window.location object hosts key information about the current URL. Exploring properties like host, hostname, and origin can tailor experiences to the domain. The hostname, which excludes the port, is your go-to property for retrieving the domain.

Environment check

Different environments like development, staging, or production can affect the structure of the domain. Subdomains and public suffixes like .co.uk might pop up, so make sure your regex patterns or string manipulation techniques can handle them.

Safety measures

Cross-domain security becomes crucial when you're altering content based on the domain name. Ensure that your web app follows best practices for security, especially when interacting with multiple domains or subdomains.

Subdomains & domains: Know the difference

Assume you're on https://subdomain.example.co.uk and desire extract example.co.uk as the domain, leaving out subdomain. Sounds like a challenge? No worries, we've got you covered!

Regex to the rescue

A regex pattern can match against domain patterns, but remember, the Domain Name System (DNS) is wilder than the Wild West!

// Do or do not, there's no try! - Yoda, probably
const domainWithSuffix = window.location.hostname.match(/[\w-]+\.\w+$/);
console.log(domainWithSuffix ? domainWithSuffix[0] : 'Ghost domain!');
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Harness the domain extraction function

A function to handle allergic URLs sounds nice, right?

// Who ya gonna call? Domain extractors!
function getDomain(url) {
  // Insert magic spells here
  return parsedDomain;
}

console.log(getDomain(window.location.href));
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Perform routine validations against different URL formats and keep it updated as domain standards evolve. Her Majesty's DNS is fickle, eh?

Journey with URL properties

Peek-a-boo into the nooks and crannies of URL properties that JavaScript offers:

• For the full URL, call window.location.href.
• Capture HTTP or HTTPS with window.location.protocol.
• Just the URL path you say? Summon window.location.pathname.
• Query parameters, please meet window.location.search. Fragments (after #), say hello to window.location.hash.