JavaScript Errors

They're everywhere!

[pageoneresults]

Okay, it is time for me to rant! I keep my browser settings pretty strict and I have it set to show me every error (IE) that a page might generate. In the past 12-18 months I've noticed an alarming trend. I'm finding more and more sites that have JS errors and it makes for a very annoying browsing experience.

I have some questions. Why is it that I can see these errors and others cannot? Why is it that developers continue to deliver applications that have JS errors? Why can't they see the same thing I am? And, when I start sending screenshots of the errors? "Oh, we can't see that one." What?!?!?! How can you not see that? What's different with my browser settings than yours? I've always had mine set this way mainly due to development reasons. I don't want any JS errors presented to the visitor, none!

So tell me, what's up with all the JS errors? And why the heck can I see them and others cannot?

[daveVk]

tools -> internet options -> advanced -> Display a notification of every script error

Think default is off !

[coopster]

I use Firefox and the NoScript add-on when browsing. I never have to look at their errors unless I allow their script(s) to run. Beautiful, and secure. Stops Flash from running as well.

I use it for development too, it's a quick and easy way to turn off JS to test site features for browsers without JS active.

[penders]

tools -> internet options -> advanced -> Display a notification of every script error
Think default is off !

But you still get the warning triangle with an exclamation mark in the status bar. Ok, may be not immediately obvious but every developer should be at least aware of that?

I'm finding more and more sites that have JS errors and it makes for a very annoying browsing experience.

An internet banking site I use (which incidentally requires clients to login using IE!) has a JS error when you logout - this has been there for years - annoying yes, but what other errors are there?!

[Fotiman]

I'd change banks. If they can't get a simple logout function right, who knows what other holes they have in their system. I wouldn't trust my money in their hands.

[httpwebwitch]

It's true, in the past while, maybe the past 6 months or so, I've noticed more JS errors on high-profile sites... and I'm talking about major players like facebook (notoriously buggy!), Amazon, Youtube... it's like people don't care as much as they used to. Or maybe it's become fashionable to test scripts on a live site instead of using a staging server with a proper QA process.

You know where the most embarassing JS errors are? WebmasterRadio.fm.
They REALLY have no excuse.
(sorry to make an example of ya Daron+Brandy, but it's true)