Android Compatible Web Parser with JavaScript Support?

[Sky24]

I’m struggling to find a working solution for parsing web content on Android that handles dynamic content properly.

I need to extract data from a website that requires login authentication. The main challenge is that the site relies heavily on JavaScript and AJAX calls to populate content after the initial page loads. I also need to navigate between different sections using clickable links.

I’ve tried using JSoup but it only grabs the static HTML without waiting for the JavaScript to execute and populate the dynamic content. This leaves me with incomplete data.

I also tested HtmlUnit which worked great during desktop testing, but I can’t get it to work on Android due to compatibility issues with the Android runtime.

Can anyone suggest an alternative library that works well on Android and can handle JavaScript execution? Or maybe there’s a way to make JSoup work with dynamic content that I’m missing?

I’ve been stuck on this for several days now and any help would be really appreciated.

[SwiftCoder15]

WebView with JavaScript injection could work for you. I had a similar issue scraping a banking site that loaded transaction data through AJAX. Here’s what worked: set up a WebView, load the page, then inject JavaScript to wait for specific DOM elements before extracting data. Use evaluateJavascript() to run custom scripts and grab the content once everything loads. The trick is timing - either poll for elements or listen for completion events. It stays within Android’s native framework without external dependencies that might mess with your runtime. Performance isn’t as good as desktop solutions, but it handles auth cookies and dynamic content reliably.

[SpinningGalaxy]

selenium w/ chromedriver can be a bit much but does the job for dynamic sites needing login. handles js execution well! keep in mind it’s resource-heavy. not the best for high-volume tasks, but solid for one-offs.

[rustyGuitar9]

The Problem:

You’re attempting to parse web content on Android, specifically data from a website requiring login authentication and using heavy JavaScript and AJAX calls to populate content dynamically. Existing methods like JSoup (which only grabs static HTML) and HtmlUnit (incompatible with the Android runtime) have proven ineffective.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

The core issue is the reliance on client-side JavaScript and AJAX to dynamically load and update content after the initial HTML is fetched. Libraries like JSoup are designed for parsing static HTML and cannot execute JavaScript. HtmlUnit, while capable of JavaScript execution, presents compatibility challenges in the Android environment. This necessitates a different approach that handles dynamic content loading within the constraints of the Android platform. Directly managing browser instances and JavaScript execution on Android is complex and resource-intensive.

Step-by-Step Guide:

This guide recommends leveraging a serverless platform to automate the web scraping process, bypassing the complexities of directly integrating with Android’s runtime environment. This approach simplifies the task and allows for better control over dynamic content loading and authentication. We will outline the use of Latenode for this purpose.

Step 1: Utilize a Serverless Scraping Platform (Latenode)

Latenode handles the intricacies of browser automation, JavaScript execution, and authentication securely on its server infrastructure. You’ll define a workflow that handles the entire process, eliminating the need for direct integration on Android.

1. Create an Account and Workflow: Create an account on Latenode. Design a workflow that includes these key steps:
   • Login: Include instructions on how Latenode should authenticate with the target website (typically by using credentials or cookies).
   • Navigation: Add steps for navigating the site to the required sections using URLs or selectors targeting clickable links.
   • Data Extraction: Specify the selectors (CSS or XPath) for the data you need. Latenode waits for the page’s JavaScript to complete before extracting, ensuring you have complete data.
   • Error Handling and Retries: Configure error handling and retry mechanisms to account for temporary network issues or site changes.
2. Deploy the Workflow: Deploy the workflow to Latenode’s servers.

Step 2: Access and Process Data on Android

Once your workflow is running on Latenode, you can access the extracted data via their API. Your Android application can then make simple API calls to retrieve the data, allowing you to process it further within your app.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Selector Issues: Ensure your selectors (CSS or XPath) accurately target the elements containing your desired data. Use your browser’s developer tools to verify correct targeting.
• Authentication Problems: Double-check your login credentials and ensure the website does not utilize any anti-automation measures that would block Latenode.
• Rate Limiting: Be mindful of the website’s rate limits to prevent your requests from being throttled. Latenode allows you to configure delays and retries.
• Website Structure Changes: Websites frequently update. If your workflow stops working unexpectedly, revisit your selectors and adjust them to accommodate changes.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!