SyntaxError: Expected Expression, Got '<', What Does That Mean?

I know this is asked a few times on S.O. but none of the answers seem to match my situation . So, I have a a basic Html page which tries to use an external JS. The JS file tries to

Solution 1:

You don't need the <script> tags when in an external .js file. Use these tags to embed a script inside HTML only.

Solution 2:

The syntax error is because you have <script> tags in your JS file. When you put JavaScript in its own file like that, you don't need to surround it with script tags; that's HTML, and this is a JavaScript file.

The reference error is happening because, due to the syntax error, the JS file isn't executing correctly and so the change function never got created -- fixing the syntax error should also resolve this.

Solution 3:

In a js file, you do not use the HTML to declare that it is a js file. So, you can drop the script tag in myScript and change it to this :

function change(){
    var number = document.getElementById('number').innerHTML;
    if(number == '1'){
        document.getElementById('number').innerHTML='2';
    }
    else{
        document.getElementById('number').innerHTML='1';
    }
}

Solution 4:

Sometimes this error happens when the Javascript referenced file doesn't exist. Make sure that the file name is correct and you have the file in place. I know your problem is solved but maybe this answer solves someone else's :)