Script errors are errors that appear when someone is surfing the Internet and comes across a website that is having a problem. It is easy to think the computer visiting the website is causing a script error, but generally this is not the case. The problem is, except for in one instance, exclusively caused by the website or website programmer. Script errors can be caused by a massive amount of temporary files or poor scripting or debugging. The one case in which a script error is the user’s fault is if the user has the Internet program set to block scripts.
Most modern websites have files embedded into their framework. This can include images, movies and songs, and the files are normally used to enhance the design of the website. If the website is designed with a nominal amount of files, there will not be any problems, but an error can occur a massive amount of files are present. The Internet program will cut off the downloading, either because the computer cannot handle the memory needs or because it perceives the massive amount of files as a threat. When the downloading is cut, a script error will appear.
If a website programmer uses a scripting language to build his or her website, this can potentially cause script errors. If the script is free of errors, then the website will work fine. If the script has open spots, is not properly coded or is otherwise broken, a script error will return. This is because the function that should be executed cannot do so, because the programming is flawed.
Sometimes a website programmer will not know what type of errors can occur or is attempting to fix an error, so he or she places the script in debug mode. This makes finding and correcting errors easier but also is a source of script errors. When someone visits a website in debug mode, a script error will appear. This is easily fixed, because the user just has to disable the debugging error message from his or her Internet program.
The one case where script errors are the user’s fault is when he or she is blocking a script. The reasons for blocking a script are varied but usually come down to safety — some scripts are considered malicious if coded by a hacker — or speed, because these scripts take up more memory. If a website relies on a script type and the user is blocking that script, then the website cannot function correctly and the user will receive a script error. The script must be enabled or the website will refuse to work.