SyntaxError: Unexpected Identifier in Chrome's Javascript console

Question

I tested this javascript in Chrome's Javascript console and it returned SyntaxError: Unexpected Identifier.

I got this code from a tutorial and was just testing Chrome's console so i expected it to work, unless I'm using the console wrong?

Code:

var visitorName = "Chuck";
var myOldString = "Hello username. I hope you enjoy your stay username.";
var myNewString = myOldString.replace ("username," visitorName);

document.write("Old String = " + myOldString);
document.write("<br/>New string = " + myNewString);

Output:

SyntaxError: Unexpected identifier

Solution 1

The comma got eaten by the quotes!

This part:

("username," visitorName);

Should be this:

("username", visitorName);

---

Aside: For pasting code into the console, you can paste them in one line at a time to help you pinpoint where things went wrong ;-)

Solution 2

Replace

 var myNewString = myOldString.replace ("username," visitorName);

with

 var myNewString = myOldString.replace("username", visitorName);

Solution 3

I got this error Unexpected identifier because of a missing semi-colon ; at the end of a line. Anyone wandering here for other than above-mentioned solutions, This might also be the cause of this error.

Comments

[Kobi]

You really should point out the problem. The OP didn't notice the comma on his/her own code, and isn't likely to spot the change. From a quick look, it looks like you're suggesting to use single quoted string instead of double quoted, which can be confusing - they are the same in JavaScript, but not in all languages (PHP, for one).

[ashish.chotalia]

I tried to place myOldString.replace('username', visitorName); in bold but some how if you are placing your code in code section it didn't output it bold.

[Admin]

You can still edit your answer, of course. (Code's already bolded on SO.)

[totymedli]

It is also a good idea to use some kind of hinter or an IDE that has syntax validation.

[Mr Megamind]

In my case it was the change of API version, I changed from x.7 to x.8 and it worked. Hope this helps someone