Make data from factory http.get accessible to entire controller AngularJS - angularjs

Question

I am trying to give access to a json file that contains config information for my project (things like rev number, project name, primary contact, etc) I created a factory that retrieves the json file using http.get, I can then pull that data into my controller but I am unable to access it from anywhere in the controller.
I did not write the factory, I found it as an answer to another person's question and it is copied almost entirely so if it not the right way to accomplish what I am trying to do please correct me.
here is the factory:
app.factory('configFactory', ["$http", function($http) {
var configFactory = {
async: function() {
// $http returns a promise, which has a then function, which also returns a promise
var promise = $http.get('assets/json/config.json').then(function(response) {
// The then function here is an opportunity to modify the response
console.log(response.data.config);
// The return value gets picked up by the then in the controller.
return response.data.config;
});
// Return the promise to the controller
return promise;
}
};
return configFactory;
}]);
and here is my controller:
app.controller('footerController', ['$scope', '$rootScope', 'configFactory', function footerController($scope, $rootScope, configFactory) {
var body = angular.element(window.document.body);
$scope.onChange = function(state) {
body.toggleClass('light');
};
configFactory.async().then(function(d) {
$scope.data = d;
// this console log prints out the data that I am trying to access
console.log($scope.data);
});
// this one prints out undefined
console.log($scope.data);
}]);
So essentially I have access to the data within the function used to retrieve it but not outside of that. I can solve this with rootScope but I am trying to avoid that because I think its a bandaid and not a proper solution.
Any help would be great but this is my first experience with http.get and promises and all that stuff so a detailed explanation would be very much appreciated.
[EDIT 1] The variables from the config file will need to be manipulated within the web app, so I can't use constants.

Answer 1

Don't assign your response data to scope variable , create a property in your factory itself and assign the response to this property in your controller when your promise gets resolved.This way you will get the value in all the other controllers.
I have updated your factory and controller like below
app.factory('configFactory', ["$http", function($http) {
var configFactory = {
async: function() {
// $http returns a promise, which has a then function, which also returns a promise
var promise = $http.get('assets/json/config.json').then(function(response) {
// The then function here is an opportunity to modify the response
console.log(response.data.config);
// The return value gets picked up by the then in the controller.
return response.data.config;
});
// Return the promise to the controller
return promise;
},
config:'' // new proprety added
};
return configFactory;
}]);
app.controller('footerController', ['$scope', '$rootScope', 'configFactory', function footerController($scope, $rootScope, configFactory) {
var body = angular.element(window.document.body);
$scope.onChange = function(state) {
body.toggleClass('light');
};
configFactory.async().then(function(d) {
// $scope.data = d;
configFactory.config=d;
// this console log prints out the data that I am trying to access
console.log($scope.data);
});
// this one prints out undefined
console.log($scope.data);
}]);

Answer 2

Have you looked into using angular constants? http://ilikekillnerds.com/2014/11/constants-values-global-variables-in-angularjs-the-right-way/ You can leverage them as global variables accessible from any controller without the ramifications of assigning the values to rootScope