Server Side JavaScript Question

I want my server to execute a JavaScript that randomly chooses properties from a previously defined array list to create a new list of random properties. I am very familiar with client-side JavaScript but I know that this script must be run from server-side if the newly returned list is to remain the same. Otherwise, if it was run from client-side, it would always change randomly and every client would have a different list.
So, I have two questions. 1) Is Server-Side JavaScript only supported by Netscape or is it also supported by Internet Explorer? 2) What code would I have to write to store my new list of values onto the server for everyone to see without it being changed? If I wrote a client-side cookie, the values would be stored yet each client would have a different version.
I am very confused, please help
Michael

Well if you need to store stuff in a database you are going to need a server side language like JSP or ASP. Cookies are not a good way to store information since a person may not have them enabled, or they might delte them on a daily basis.
To have everything be random with no repeating is going to rely on the database and checking to see if that combo has been met. Most of this should be done on a server side. If you do not need everything to be completely random, then you can just use a random number generator to get the information from the array on client side and pass them to the server side.
Now that I probably lost you or did not answer your question I will stop and get to work.

Is Server-Side JavaScript only supported by Netscape or is it also supported by Internet Explorer?

The browser used is immaterial. What matters is whether your web server supports server-side JS. And Netscape Server (is that even still around?) is the only one I've ever heard of that does.
I'd follow Eric's suggestion of a more commonly used server-side mechanism. Obviously JSP/Servlets are a natural choice for most readers of these forums.
hth,
bear

How frustrating. JSP and ASP programming languages: How different are they in relation to JavaScript? Are they object oriented languages?
Can I use my JavaScript function to return the data and then send that data to my database using JSP? Or do I have to start from scratch using JSP?
Maybe you could navigate me to a tutorial website for JSP or ASP?

Michael, do a search on the JSP forum. Tutorials and such info have been posted a number of times.
hth,
bear

Why do we need server side JavaScript? What Servlet/JSP can not do
but JavaScript?

What in the world are you asking?

It is first time I heard running JavaScript on server side.
My understanding is that JavaScript with HTML runs in web browser,
not in web server.

It can run on the server, but it is very limited on what it can do just like any server side language. Do not use it on server side, stick to a lanuage that was built for it.
Eric

Eric, Thanks for answering my questions. Jane.