Problem 1:

The CSS, JavaScript, Spry, PHP, etc., doesn't work. There is no appearance or indication that it is working at all.

The number one error that students run into is that their path is incorrect in their src or href values.

Cause: Type Mismatch in Path
The path is misnamed or not used correctly.

Example:

Your folder name is assets, but the path in your href or src is Assets or vice versa.
You have
   src="Assets/whatever.js"
When the file is named/location in
   assets/whatever.js

Solutions:

  1. To keep your files organized and your paths standardized, never use spaces or capital letters on folder and file names. Also, avoid capital letters on ID and class selector names in the CSS. This is an industry standard procedure and one that will ultimately save you time and help you avoid these kinds of type mismatch errors.
  2. Double check your work on the server (the Student Web Server for your assignments). If something looks wrong, then check the path to the support files (CSS, JavaScript, etc.) to ensure it's accurate.

Problem 2:

The CSS, JavaScript, Spry, etc., doesn't work on the server (although it might work when I preview it from my local drive).

Cause: Inaccurate Path
The path is not used correctly.

Example:

You have
   <link href="file:///C|/desktop/Documents/Jane's Website/assets/mysite.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> 
It should be
   <link href="assets/mysite.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> 

Solution:

  1. Always work within a Site Definition (green folders in the Files panel) in Dreamweaver since it manages your paths.
  2. Double check your work on the server (the Student Web Server for your assignments). If something looks wrong, then check the path to the support files (CSS, JavaScript, etc.) to ensure it's accurate.

Problem 3:

Before I moved my support files (JavaScript or Spry) in the Files panel, everything was working fine. After I moved them, the JavaScript or Spry aren't working. I am working within a Site Definition.

Cause: Path not Updated
You did not choose Update Now after you moved the files, or the target file that needed to be change was open and unsaved at the time you moved the support files.

Example:

You have
   src="../SpryAssets/xpath.js"
It should be
   src="assets/xpath.js" 

Solution:

  1. Before you move or copy any files in the Files panel, save and close all open files (HTML, CSS, etc.).
  2. Use the Update Now feature after you move files and folders and Dreamweaver will update the path (both change it and save the file) on all effected files. For this to work, the effected files MUST be saved and it's best to close them, too.

Problem 4:

My paths are correct, but the CSS, JavaScript, Spry, etc., don't work on the server, although they do work when I preview them from my local drive. This might also include the HTML pages and images viewed through Iframes and Popup Windows.

Cause: Files not Uploaded
You haven't uploaded the support files.

Solution:

  1. Upload all the support files to the server.
  2. Keep in mind that images and Web pages viewed through Iframes and Popup Windows are separate files from the primary HTML file you worked with.