Variable gets stuck in IF stmt in Netscape but not MS-IE

[laitueceleste]

I have a simple script that updates a link based on the month. The selection criteria looks at the month and year and picks a link out of the array and then prints it at the end of the script.

The problem is that I'm getting different results in Netscape and MS-IE. The value for i isn't passed in Netscape, but it is in MS-IE. I get different results in different browsers.

Here's the jist of the code:

var newDate = new Date()
var month = newDate.getMonth()
var year = newDate.getYear()
var txt = "Group Calendar"
var i = 3

var url = new Array
url[0] = "groupcal_aug2002.htm"
url[1] = "groupcal_sep2002.htm"
url[2] = "groupcal_oct2002.htm"
url[3] = "groupcal_nov2002.htm"
url[4] = "groupcal_dec2002.htm"

// August 2002
if ((month == 7) && (year == 2002))
{
var i = 0
}


// September 2002
if ((month == 8) && (year == 2002))
{
var i = 1
}


// October 2002
if ((month == 9) && (year == 2002))
{
var i = 2
}


// November 2002
if ((month == 10) && (year == 2002))
{
var i = 3
}


// December 2002
if ((month == 11) && (year == 2002))
{
var i = 4
}


// prints link to current calendar page
document.write('<a href=\"' + url[i] + '\" target=\"_top\">');
document.write(txt + '</a>');


It works fine in MS-IE. The link for August is the outcome. The value for i is passed to the end of the script. However, this doens't work in MS-IE. It gives me the link for November. So this means the value for i isn't being passed.

What is the problem? I have been investigating, but I don't know what the culprit could be.

[beetle]

Where are they? You have no end-of-line semicolons, and if my calculations are correct you need about 16 or so. Put em in! It may fix your problem!

Couple more things In the document.write statements, it is unecessary to escape the double quotes
Better off defining your url array on one line (i.e., new Array('','','');)
It is unecessary to re-declare i within all your if() statements

[jkd]

Originally posted by beetle
Where are they? You have no end-of-line semicolons, and if my calculations are correct you need about 16 or so. Put em in! It may fix your problem!

Semicolons are not required in ECMAScript to terminate lines, just to separate statements on one line.

[beetle]

Is that right? huh. Well, I code in PHP too, and as I'm sure you are aware, it wigs out when you miss a semicolon, so I've learned to do the same :D

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is ECMAscript?

EDIT: Never mind just found out (http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/web/library/wa-emca.html?dwzone=web)

[mordred]

The standardized specs for JavaScript implementations. Most recent version is ECMAScript 3, but version 4 is on the way with lots of additions. If I don't err, ECMAScript more or less corresponds to JavaScript1.5.

http://www.ecma.ch/ecma1/STAND/STANDARD.HTM#ECMA-262

[nolachrymose]

var year = newDate.getYear()

In Mozilla, getYear() returns 102 for the current date, yet you are testing for the full year in all of your condition statements. I recommend you use getFullYear(), as it is always returns a four digit year.

Hope that helps!

Happy coding! :)

[whammy]

I'll second that - it's most likely the problem.

[laitueceleste]

Wow, guys, you all have a lot of collective experience and insight. Thank you so much for your help. I'm brand-new to javascript, just cracked a book a few days ago. Your feedback has been really helpful, and now I have a better sense of what to look out for.

Thanks so much and take care!

[BrainJar]

I think you want

var year = newDate.getFullYear();

instead of .getYear() which returns a two-digit year in some implementations.