This is a very "standard" piece of JavaScript code (I've seen it on thousands of examples), but it doesn't work for me:
<head>
<title>Temp</title>
<script type="text/javascript">
function start() {
var newScript = document.createElement('script');
newScript.type = "text/javascript";
newScript.src = "toBeIncluded.js"; // THIS ONE DOES NOT WORK
document.body.appendChild(newScript);
// alert(newScript.contentText);
}
</script>
</head>
<body onload='start()'>
</body>
</html>
In fact I don't get any error, and the tag gets actually appendeded - unfortunately it is completely empty (I check it with the commented alert line). Please consider that the "toBeIncluded.js" file exists, is not empty, and is in the same local directory of this HTML (I'm running everything locally on my PC).
Please help, I've tried lots of possible variations (change directories, include full path, move code to the "body" section, ...) but no success
I would recommend installing the Firebug extension for Firefox. There is also a Firebug Lite script for use in other browsers. They work in different ways but have similar features. As others have mentioned, you may benefit from viewing HTTP transaction information. In Firebug this is available in the "Net" panel. If the browser attempts to load the script, then you should see an item in the Net panel. (Make sure you have "All" or "Script" selected in the Net panel options).
If you see the script request listed, then the outcome of the request should also be listed. If it is "404 Not Found", for example, then the URL did not resolve properly. If it is "200 OK" or "304 Not Modified", then the request was successful. If the item shows a small spinner graphic, then it is still trying to connect to the target server.
If the Net panel indicates that the request was successful, then go to the "HTML" panel. The HTML panel shows you the current state of the document object, so if your start function executed properly, then you'll see a "script" element as a child of the body element.
If the script element is successfully added but no HTTP request is made, then you may have a problem with browser security settings. For example, if the request crosses the boundary of HTTP/HTTPS or http/file protocols, the browser may silently decline it.
Try opening a new browser window and requesting the script URL directly. This should help to rule out a misspelled URL or server connection issues.