Troubleshooting JavaScript

Part of the JavaScript For Dummies Cheat Sheet

JavaScript is a wonderful tool to use to create interesting and interactive Web pages, but every once in a while nothing works and you have no idea where to start to get things moving again. Not to worry; take a look at the following list for hints on what to do to get back on track (try them in this order):

Is your Web browser installed and configured correctly, including your communications stuff?
Is JavaScript enabled?

From Navigator: Choose Edit→Preferences→Advanced→Scripts & Plugins and select the Enable JavaScript For Navigator check box.

From Internet Explorer:
- Choose Tools→Internet Options and click the Security tab
- Click the Custom Level button
- Scroll down until the Scripting category appears
- Select the Enable radio button for these options: Active Scripting; Allow Paste Operations Via Script; and Scripting of Java Applets
Are all your JavaScript statements between <SCRIPT> and </SCRIPT> tags (except JavaScript statements attached to event handlers, which don't have to be)?
Does your HTML file work as it should by itself if you delete your JavaScript statements?
Do the names of your JavaScript variables all start with an alphabetic character (or an underscore)?