What are JavaScript errors?

While surfing the net, most of us have encountered JavaScript error at some point. These occur when there is an error in the web page script or if it fails to execute correctly. When this occurs in some versions of Internet Explorer, you will need to click on the small warning icon (yellow triangle with the exclamation point) in the status bar. Clicking on it will bring you to a screen showing a more detailed description of the errors.

If the site you are on is not your own, there is usually nothing you can do when you encounter one of these errors. The error and solution often has to do with the webpage itself. If you wish, you could contact the webmaster and let them know what you have encountered.

On the other hand, if you are the webpage developer, these error messages are great as they show you exactly where the problem is. There are two general types of JavaScript errors. They are syntax errors and runtime errors.

• Syntax Error: This is caused by a mistake in the writing of the code. It could be a typo, a missing character or something else. A syntax error message will typically show up as soon as a page loads.
• Runtime Error: This means that the script cannot complete what it is supposed to do. For example, maybe it cannot find a specific object. These error messages appear when the problem code runs.

If you are just surfing, JavaScript errors are an unfortunate inconvenience.

But, if you are a developer, they are a helpful tool that can help you fine-tune your pages.