Getting Json formatted objects - json

Question

Ok, so I have a big JSON file that has arrays and objects setup for controls for a google map project I am working on...looks like this:
{
"settings":
{
"DEFAULT_MAP_SETTING": "DEFAULT_MAP_SETTINGS",
"DEFAULT_MAP_RES": "county",
"DEFAULT_MAP_CAT": "popden"
},
"map_settings":
{
"DEFAULT_MAP_SETTINGS":
{
"map_options":
{
"center": [39.828175, -94.5795],
"mapTypeId": "TERRAIN",
"streetViewControl": false,
"scrollwheel": false,
"overviewMapControl": false,
"mapTypeControl": false,
"zoom": 4
},
"map_bounds":
{
"upper-left": [98.70, -127.50],
"lower-right": [48.85, -55.90]
},
}
}
}
My question is how do I go about getting this data in json format as it has to be in json format to load up options and what not in google maps. For instance I have
var myMapOptions = {
"zoom": 4,
"minZoom" : 4,
"scrollWheel" : false,
"center": initialLoc,
"mapTypeId": google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP,
};
var theMap = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map_canvas"), myMapOptions);
Which loads up the google map. But I cant figure out how to set myMapOptions with my big Json file. Every method that I know of returns the json data in strings and gets rid of the formatting. Like $.ajax in jQuery will go get the json for me but it strips it of its formatting.
Can anyone help me out?

Answer 1

jQuery $.ajax() will automatically transform you JSON "file" into a javascript object if your request come back with a JSON header.
However you can override this by using dataType of $.ajax:
$.ajax({
url: "test.html",
dataType: "text",
success: function(data){
alert(data);
}
});
The previous script will alert you JSON file like you want.
[Update]
You can try to use eval():
$.ajax({
url: "test.html",
dataType: "text",
success: function(data){
var options = eval(data);
}
});
In this case your data need to be executable by javascript.
[Update 2]
JsonP style, your json file need to looks like that:
var options = {
"zoom": 4, "minZoom" : 4,
"scrollWheel" : false,
"center": new google.maps.LatLng(39.828175, -94.5795),
"mapTypeId": google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
};
Notice the "var options ="
Your ajax request need to look like that:
$.ajax({
url: "test.html",
dataType: "text",
success: function(data){
alert(data);// will show your data as text
eval(data); this will execute your "JSON file"
//after eval you can now use options as a variable
alert(options);
}
});