How can I get a JavaScript stack trace when I throw an exception?

David_Wolever_71522 0
Viewed 527491

If I throw a JavaScript exception myself (eg, throw "AArrggg"), how can I get the stack trace (in Firebug or otherwise)? Right now I just get the message.

edit: As many people below have posted, it is possible to get a stack trace for a JavaScript exception but I want to get a stack trace for my exceptions. For example:

function foo() {
    bar(2);
}
function bar(n) {
    if (n < 2)
        throw "Oh no! 'n' is too small!"
    bar(n-1);
}

When foo is called, I want to get a stack trace which includes the calls to foo, bar, bar.

stack-trace javascript
25 Answers

Edit 2 (2017):

In all modern browsers you can simply call: console.trace(); (MDN Reference)

Edit 1 (2013):

A better (and simpler) solution as pointed out in the comments on the original question is to use the stack property of an Error object like so:

function stackTrace() {
    var err = new Error();
    return err.stack;
}

This will generate output like this:

DBX.Utils.stackTrace@http://localhost:49573/assets/js/scripts.js:44
DBX.Console.Debug@http://localhost:49573/assets/js/scripts.js:9
.success@http://localhost:49573/:462
x.Callbacks/c@http://localhost:49573/assets/js/jquery-1.10.2.min.js:4
x.Callbacks/p.fireWith@http://localhost:49573/assets/js/jquery-1.10.2.min.js:4
k@http://localhost:49573/assets/js/jquery-1.10.2.min.js:6
.send/r@http://localhost:49573/assets/js/jquery-1.10.2.min.js:6

Giving the name of the calling function along with the URL, its calling function, and so on.

Original (2009):

A modified version of this snippet may somewhat help:

function stacktrace() { 
  function st2(f) {
    return !f ? [] : 
        st2(f.caller).concat([f.toString().split('(')[0].substring(9) + '(' + f.arguments.join(',') + ')']);
  }
  return st2(arguments.callee.caller);
}
Eugene_Morozov_731030

If you have firebug, there's a break on all errors option in the script tab. Once the script has hit your breakpoint, you can look at firebug's stack window:

screenshot

Helephant_130280
Mark_Biek_3050

one way to get a the real stack trace on Firebug is to create a real error like calling an undefined function:

function foo(b){
  if (typeof b !== 'string'){
    // undefined Error type to get the call stack
    throw new ChuckNorrisError("Chuck Norris catches you.");
  }
}

function bar(a){
  foo(a);
}

foo(123);

Or use console.error() followed by a throw statement since console.error() shows the stack trace.

user_2784350

at least in Edge 2021 :

console.groupCollapsed('jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj')
    console.trace()
    try {
        throw "kuku"
    } catch(e) {
        console.log(e.stack)
    }
console.groupEnd()
traceUntillMe()

and you are done my friend

user_10181540

It is easier to get a stack trace on Firefox than it is on IE but fundamentally here is what you want to do:

Wrap the "problematic" piece of code in a try/catch block:

try {
    // some code that doesn't work
    var t = null;
    var n = t.not_a_value;
}
    catch(e) {
}

If you will examine the contents of the "error" object it contains the following fields:

e.fileName : The source file / page where the issue came from e.lineNumber : The line number in the file/page where the issue arose e.message : A simple message describing what type of error took place e.name : The type of error that took place, in the example above it should be 'TypeError' e.stack : Contains the stack trace that caused the exception

I hope this helps you out.

user_2372290
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