Debugging SuiteCommerce Advanced (SCA) Extension Errors

SuiteCommerce Advanced (SCA) offers extensive customization capabilities through extensions, but errors during development and deployment can interrupt progress. Proper debugging strategies are essential to resolve issues efficiently. Below is a detailed guide for debugging SCA extension errors:

1. Understand the SCA Development Environment

Before diving into debugging:

• Familiarize yourself with the SCA directory structure.
• Understand the Gulp-based build and deployment process.
• Identify key files like:
• manifest.json for metadata.
• SCSS and JavaScript files for styling and functionality.
• Templates for UI customization.

2. Common Types of Errors

a. Compilation Errors

• SCSS compilation failures.
• JavaScript syntax errors.

b. Deployment Errors

• Incorrect or missing file paths in manifest.json.
• Invalid extensions or themes not recognized by NetSuite.

c. Runtime Errors

• Missing dependencies or incorrect require statements.
• Undefined variables or methods.

d. Configuration Errors

• Incorrect configuration settings in Configuration.js.

3. Debugging Compilation and Build Errors

a. Check the Error Log

• Use the terminal to identify errors when running gulp commands. Example:

gulp sass

• Review detailed logs to pinpoint issues.

b. Fix SCSS Errors

• Look for common SCSS issues like:
• Missing semicolons.
• Undefined variables or mixins.
• Example error:

Undefined variable: "$primary-color".

• Solution: Ensure all SCSS files are imported properly in main.scss.

c. Debug JavaScript Errors

• Check for syntax errors, such as missing brackets or semicolons.
• Use tools like ESLint to enforce proper coding practices.

4. Debugging Deployment Errors

a. Validate the manifest.json File

• Ensure all files listed under assets and overrides exist in the correct paths.
• Example manifest.json:

{
  "name": "MyExtension",
  "assets": {
    "templates": ["path/to/template.tpl"],
    "sass": ["path/to/styles.scss"]
  },
  "overrides": {
    "some/override/path": "path/to/override.js"
  }
}

• Common Issue: File path mismatches.

b. Update the Manifest

Run the command:

gulp extension:update-manifest

This ensures the manifest aligns with the current file structure.

c. Check for File Permissions

Ensure all extension files have the correct permissions for uploading to NetSuite.

5. Debugging Runtime Errors

a. Browser Console

• Open the browser developer tools (F12 or Ctrl+Shift+I).
• Look for errors in the Console tab. For instance:

Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read property 'xyz' of undefined

• Solution: Trace the error to identify undefined variables or incorrect method calls.

b. Network Tab

• Use the Network tab to monitor API requests.
• Ensure required resources (e.g., templates, JSON data) are loaded correctly.

c. Debugging Tools

• Use console.log statements strategically in your JavaScript code.
• Debug in local development mode (gulp local) for real-time feedback.

6. Debugging Configuration Issues

• Verify settings in Configuration.js.
• Ensure feature toggles, URL paths, and API configurations are correctly defined.

7. Best Practices for Debugging SCA Extensions

1. Start Small: Test individual components (SCSS, templates, or JavaScript) before integrating them.
2. Use Source Maps: Enable source maps for easier debugging in browsers.
3. Test Locally: Always use gulp local to debug changes before deploying.
4. Check Logs: Monitor logs in:

• Browser Console: For JavaScript runtime errors.
• NetSuite Logs: For backend issues.

8. Common Tools for Debugging

• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): With extensions like Prettier and ESLint.
• Browser DevTools: For inspecting and debugging frontend code.
• NetSuite SuiteScript Debugger: For backend logic issues.

9. Resolving Dependency Errors

• Run npm install to ensure all dependencies are installed.
• Use npm outdated to check for mismatched versions.

10. Debugging Deployment to NetSuite

• Ensure the NetSuite file cabinet paths are correct.
• Use gulp extension:deploy with specific extensions to isolate deployment issues.

By applying these strategies, you can effectively identify and resolve errors in SuiteCommerce Advanced extensions, ensuring a smooth development process and successful deployment.