Javascript development / debugging environment?

I am writing some Javascript in a Script method for the first time. I have developed VB and PowerShell code before so I'm not a complete neophyte with writing code.

Is there a JS development / debugging environment where I can single-step through the script code, display item properties, trace execution, etc.?

Is there a way to call an AR method from inside a JS script?

Is there a forum or support location that has sample AR scripts to look at?

Thanks in advance,

Sailor Guy

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Reply to #1:
The javascript debugging tools in AR is very limited - read not existing. I will recommend using rather small scripts and only advance slowly and keep looking at the ouput in the new name column of Advanced Renamer.

TIP: Try typing App.
There are a couple of useful methods on the App object.

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I found a simple "debugging" trick for seeing the result or value of a variable or formula...

Return the variable or formula on the function Return script command.

For example with this little code script...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
var sVideoExtList = ".avi .mov .mp4 .mpg";

if (sVideoExtList.search(item.ext.toLowerCase()) > -1) {
sNewName = sNewName.replace("-", "v-");
}

iSeqNum = iSeqNum + 1; // increment file seq number counter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To see the numeric result of the .search command...

return sVideoExtList.search(item.ext.toLowerCase();

To see the iSeqNum value...

return iSeqNum;

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Kim,

I don't understand your comment...

"TIP: Try typing App.
There are a couple of useful methods on the App object."

Where do I find the App object?

Also, can you call your methods from inside a JS script? If so, how?

Thanks,

Sailor Guy

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Reply to #4:
Sorry, it is not App but app.

Try this: app.parseTags('<Name>')

This will parse the tag and return the result as a string. The parameter can be any pattern including any number of tags.

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