Tutorial Error Message

[Joe Blake]

I am working with the tutorial. I cut and paste this line of code into FIRST_SCRIPT

controls.text1.text.text = 'Welcome ' + fields.FIRST_NAME.value

However, I get the following error message:

An error has occurred. Please try again later.

Error detail message:
com.ebasetech.ufs.runtime.events.rhinojavascript.JavascriptExecutionHandler$RhinoScriptException: TypeError: Cannot read property "text" from undefined (FIRST_SCRIPT#3)

As I am being tutored, I don't know understand the error message. I did try trouble shooting myself by taking out an one instance of the .text in the script. This did get the error message to change, but an error message nonetheless.

Thanks.

[Jon]

It's an error in the tutorial. It should read:

Code: Select all

controls.TEXT1.text.text = ...

where "TEXT1" is the name of the Text Control that you added a couple of steps earlier.

Thanks for pointing this out. We'll get it changed.

[andyhinds]

Hi Joe,

We have now updated the tutorial to include the correct case for the control name, apologies for the inconvenience.

Thank you for bringing it to our attention,

Andy

[Joe Blake]

If I may make a suggestion.

First, the tutorial is one of the best I have ever had. Kudos.

Second, I prefer there to be ERRORS in the tutorial!!! For example, in this case:

1. Leave the wrong code in.
2. Acknowledge the error message in the tutorial.
3. Explain the error and how to correct it.
4. Move on.

Now, maybe an error would not be a good thing to try to explain for the first tutorial. However, I think you would agree, very few if any tutorials help you with error recovery. For example, in this case, how would I ever know the case was wrong? I don't think there was any mention of the value of case in regards to the control name.

Thanks for the prompt reply. I wonder if I am the first person to notice this, or the first person unable to correct it on my own....

[andyhinds]

Hi Joe,

Thanks again for the feedback, I am glad you found the tutorial helpful despite the error.

I agree with you that it would be useful to have a dealing with and understanding errors tutorial.

The error you would have seen would have been this:

com.ebasetech.ufs.runtime.events.rhinojavascript.JavascriptExecutionHandler$RhinoScriptException: TypeError: Cannot read property "text" from undefined (MYSCRIPT#4)

As you say this doesn't mention anything about case. What it is saying is that it is looking for the "text" property of an object (in this case a control) but that object is "undefined" (or "null" if you prefer). So it is then down to the developer to work out why that is undefined, which could be because of a number of reasons, one of which is incorrect use of case.

I have found that with a little experience this becomes second nature, and I agree, a tutorial would help build that experience.

Thanks,

Andy

[Joe Blake]

The !!!! I used was just to emphasize my LIKE of tutorials that purposely have errors built in.

It was not meant as YOU MUST DO THIS.

Just a suggestion. I am very excited and happy to have found eBase.

Hope you guys are doing well.

[andyhinds]

Glad to hear it Joe

We appreciate your suggestions and welcome any more you might have.

Andy