Javascript code validation recommendation

Question posted by: Haitashi (Member) on May 15th, 2008 03:04 PM

I'm trying to see what, inside a script of 500 lines, is messed up. It was written by a previous developer so I was trying to see if there was any way to validate the syntax (to make sure he's not missing something silly like a semi-colon somewhere).

Are there any software or web apps out there for this? After searching the web I found JSLint but it's too strict on the validation. For example, it says this is an error:

Code: ( text )

var credits = new Array();

It tells me: "Use the array literal notation []."
As I understand it, there is nothing wrong with declaring the array the aforementioned way. Using [] was the "old" way of doing it.

Thanks!

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hsriat

Expert

1,447 Posts

May 15th, 2008
03:29 PM
#2

Re: Javascript code validation recommendation

Use Mozilla Firefox and go to Tools >> Error Console

Or download one of the add-ons for Mozilla.
I use this one.

gits

Moderator

3,047 Posts

May 15th, 2008
04:08 PM
#3

Re: Javascript code validation recommendation

yes ... or use the firebug extension ...

but one more note according to the 'error' you posted:

Code: ( text )

var a = new Array();

is syntactically correct of course but you should always prefer the literals. it is not the 'old' way ... it is just the best way for following reasons:

1. in case you don't pass arguments to the constructor then you could even write:

Code: ( text )

var a = new Array;

why? : there is no need for the js-interpreter to be forced to evaluate an empty list of arguments so we just could leave the parantheses out

2. since using literals is much shorter and even less to evaluate for the interpreter (new Array => 2 keywords) and [] is just one instruction to be evaled ... it is just better to use the literals. you even wouldn't create a string with the constructor or a number ... or would you? ;)

kind regards,
gits

mrhoo

Needs Regular Fix

399 Posts

May 15th, 2008
04:10 PM
#4

Re: Javascript code validation recommendation

You can configure jslint to skip warnings that you don't care about...

Haitashi

Member

74 Posts

May 22nd, 2008
06:10 PM
#5

Re: Javascript code validation recommendation

Great responses. Thanks guys!

Ty for all that useful info Gits. I just getting in JS so all of that is valuable info.

gits

Moderator

3,047 Posts

May 23rd, 2008
06:32 PM
#6

Re: Javascript code validation recommendation

... you know that you just have to post to the forum in case you any questions :)

kind regards

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