Debugging Javascript in IE
If you’re like me, you use Firefox for your web development, turning to IE every now and agan to check out styles, Javascript, etc. The Web Developer toolbar is invaluable, as are the Firebug and IETab extensions. However, there invariably comes a time when you can prevaricate no further: you have to check out your script in Internet Exploder, debug an ActiveX object, whatever. Now, you could turn to the Microsoft Script Debugger (WGA alert!), but that’s a huge pain in the arse to use, and of very limited capability. However, I learned a wee tip last week at a free Ajax seminar (follow the link—the presentation is attached) I attended, hosted by the folks at SkillsMatter, and given by Dave Crane (author of Manning’s Ajax In Action no less):
Use Microsoft’s Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition (and you thought IBM had the monopoly on unwieldy product names).
Really! It’s a free tool, and from what I have seen so far it’s pretty useful. What’s more, it has a half-decent Javascript debugger in it. So I’d be interested to see what you think—despite this post, and the fact that I have seen the tool in action—I can’t actually use it: it requires Service Pack 2, something Stinky does not have. Doh!
(Oh, and yes, the seminar was very good. Based on my experience of the morning, plus the organisation beforehand, I would recommend checking out SkillsMatter’s training offerings).
Posted at 21:13 GDT on 05 Jul 2006 | Categories: | |
internet explorer
debugging
javascript
visual studio
ajax (3 comments)
We do have SP2 in our organisation, but it's only coming on newly-imaged or replacement PCs (i.e. it's not being rolled-out to the existing user base).