[thelist] Validating JavaScript

Mon Mar 12 17:17:12 CST 2001

Kathy wrote:

> javascript (which I'm sure you've already figured out). It may help if you

> put all of your javascript functions and array declarations in an external

> file and include that external file in the page like this:
> 
> <script src="scriptname.js">

	Although there are a number of benefits to external script files,
one potential pitfall is that first-generation javascript-enabled browsers
(e.g., Netscape 2, IE 3) do not support them and will cough up errors when
the page attempts to call a function or reference a variable that is located
there. One simple way around at least certain aspects of this is to place
down-level content between the opening and closing <script> tags for the
first-generation browsers, e.g.:

<head>
<script type="text/javascript" src="scriptname.js">
  <!--
    function fnMouseOver() {}
    function fnMouseOut() {}
    function fnMouseClick() {}
  // -->
</script>
</head>
<body>
  <a href="foo.html" 
    onmouseover="fnMouseOver();"
    onmouseout="fnMouseOut();"
    onclick="fnMouseClick();"><img src="image.jpg" alt=""></a>
</body>

	Any browser that has second-generation javascript support or later
should ignore the content between the <script> tags and abide by the content
in the external file, while first-generation browsers will remain blissful
in their ignorance.

James Aylard

P.S. - Although this is a workaround that I "discovered" for myself, I think
that jeff may have suggested it in days long past. If so, jeff, feel free to
correct or improve upon anything I've written.