Metropolitan State University

ICS 225 Web Design and Implementation

 

Lab 7:  Debugging, Firebug and Images

 

Objectives:   In this lab, you will

·         Learn how to use Firebug

·         Improve your debugging skills

·         Create a slide show

·         Create thumbnails

 

Part I:  Firebug

 

1.     Install or access Firebug

·         At Home:  If at home, follow the directions on page 473-474 to download and install Firebug.  Firebug is an extension to Firefox, so you may need to download Firefox first if you do not have it on your computer.

·         On Campus: If using lab computers at school, you should see Firebug and the JavaScript debugger when you click Tools | Add-ons | Extensions. 

·         On Campus: If you do not see the add-ons, click Tools | Add-ons | JavaScript Debugger | Find Updates | Install Updates.  All of the JavaScript add-ons, including Firebug, will then show up.

 

2.     Practice viewing error messages from Firebug

·         Open a buggy script using Firefox.  An example of a buggy script can be found at http://cs.metrostate.edu/~fitzgesu/courses/ics225/fall2009/examples/debugger/evenRowsEvents.htm

·         If you are trying to view a file located on the hard drive of your own computer, you can right-click on the file name and Open With Firefox if Firefox is not your default browser.

·         To view JavaScript errors, double click the Bug icon found in the lower right corner of your browser window.  (The red X will show you the HTML validation errors.)

·         Click the Console tab and find the line with the error.  (You  may have to Refresh the page to see the error.)

 

3.     Practice using the Firebug Console

·         Do the tutorial on page 477-481.

·         Add console.log() message to display the values of variables and a trace of your program.

·         To view JavaScript errors, double click the Bug icon found in the lower right corner of your browser window and look at the Console tab.  Or press the F12 key.  Or click Tool | Firebug | Open Firebug.

 

4.     Practice creating rollover images with the tutorial on p. 239-242.