Debugging JavaScript in Visual Studio

[This was originally posted at http://timstall.dotnetdevelopersjournal.com/debugging_javascript_in_visual_studio.htm]

Everyone knows that you can use Visual Studio to debug Class Libraries, such as server-side WebForms. However, you can also use it to debug client-side JavaScript. I've seen some developers who don't realize this because they open up the JS as if it were a class file, add the breakpoint, run the application, and never see the breakpoint hit.

You need to first enable script debugging in your browser (list quoted from MSDN):

1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under the Browsing category, clear the Disable Script Debugging checkbox.

Then any JS file will appear in the Running Documents window. You can open the file from there, add the breakpoint, and step through the script.