Combining javascripts into a single file

Question

Having read up recently on yahoo's web optimisation tips and using YSlow I've implemented a few of their ideas on one of my sites http://www.gwynfryncottages.com you can see the file here http://www.gwynfryncottages.com/js/gw-custom.js.

While this technique seems to work perfectly on most occasions, and really does speed up the site, but I do notice a significantly higher number of errors where the javascripts don't load or don't load completely while I'm working on the site so three questions:-

• is combining scripts this way a good idea at all in terms of reliability?

• is there any way to measure the number of errors i.e. the number of times the script failed to load?

• is there any way to 'pre-load' the javascript or ensure that the number of loading errors is reduced?

Answer 1

Of course it's good. You will not only decrease HTTP requests but you will cut down delays in downloading other resources.

Try using minify: http://code.google.com/p/minify/, I've been using it and I've no complaints.

I can assure you that combining files WON'T cause any errors as a combined script is the same as 10 non-combined scripts, they all load in the same way (In an ordered way, left to right, top to bottom). Double check the way you're combining them.