VBScript

---

The Seven Deadly Sins of VBScript!

(well not really deadly ... except to your code)

Here are seven common VBScript errors - can you spot them all?

Number One

<script language="vbscript">

<!--

window_onload()

msgbox "Howdy folk!"

end sub

-->

</script>

Number Two

<script language="vbscript">

<!--

sub window_onload()

msgbox Howdy folk!

end sub

-->

</script>

Number Three

<script language="vbscript">

<!--

<!-- this script is triggered by the window_onload event and displays a message box -->

sub window_onload()

msgbox "Howdy folk!"

end sub

-->

</script>

Number Four

<script language="vbs">

<!--

sub window_onload()

msgbox "Howdy folk!"

end sub

-->

</script>

Number Five

<script language="vbscript">

<!--

sub windoe_onload()

msgbox "Howdy folk!"

end sub

-->

</script>

Number Six

<!--

<script language="vbscript">

sub window_onload()

msgbox "Howdy folk!"

end sub

</script>

-->

Number Seven

<script language="vbscript">

<!--

sub window_onload()

msgbox "Howdy folk!"

-->

</script>

ANSWERS

1 Missing sub in procedure name.
REMEDY: Put the sub and end sub in first to avoid this mistake in the beginning.

2 Missing quotes around the message to be displayed in the message box.
REMEDY: Add them!

3 Incorrect comment tag for the comment in the script inside the script block.
REMEDY: Remember, big comment tags (<!-- and -->) to surround the contents of the script block and
small comment tags (') at the beginning on any comments you place in the script.

4 Trick question - there's nothing wrong here. You can use either language="vbscript" or
language="vbs" (or any variation of upper and lower case) to declare the language type.

5 Simple typos can bring scripts crashing down around your ears! Spelt window as windoe!
This is one that I do OCCASIONALLY too! ;o)
REMEDY: Check spellings and try again!

6 Got the right comment tags but they have been placed outside the script block, thus hiding
it from even IE 4/5+!
REMEDY: Put them in the right place and try the script again.

7 Missing end sub. Similar to problem 1.
REMEDY: As problem 1. Put the sub and end sub in first to avoid this mistake in the beginning.

Kathie Kingsley-Hughes
Last updated: May 4th 2004
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