Trying to update fields in Data Extension with SSJS

Question

I realize this might a very basic question but I am completely new to SSJS so thanks for the understanding.

In Marketing Cloud I am trying run SSJS script in order to update a field in a data extension. Using the available documentation I have put together the following:

<script runat=server language="JavaScript" executioncontexttype="Post" executioncontextname=test>

var TestDE = DataExtension.Init("TEST_DataExtension");
TestDE.Rows.Update({"AccountId":"Test_account"}, ["ContactId"],
["0032405071zljdyAAA"]);

</script>

The syntax seems to be correct and I can run the query via automation studio with no errors but the data extension is not getting updated the way I want it. In other words, field AccountId in TEST_DataExtension is not being changed to "Test_Account" for user with ContactId of 0032405071zljdyAAA.

Any idea why this might be?

Answer 1

Declaration of Server-Side JavaScript Block is incorrect and you have not included the SSJS libraries in your SSJS code.

<script runat=server language="JavaScript" executioncontexttype="get">
Platform.Load("Core","1.1");

var TestDE = DataExtension.Init("TEST_DataExtension");
var result = TestDE.Rows.Update({"AccountId":"Test_account"}, ["ContactId"],["0032405071zljdyAAA"]);

Write('<b>Output:</b>'+result);
</script>

Output: 1

Answer 2

If you wish to debug SSJS in an Activity, you can use try/catch to grab the error and write it to a data extension:

<script runat = server language = "JavaScript">
Platform.Load("Core", "1.1.1");
try {
    undefinedfunction();
    writeErrorLog("process done");
}
catch (e) {
    var result = e.name + ": " + e.message;
    writeErrorLog(result);
}

function writeErrorLog(msg) {
    var errorLogDE = DataExtension.Init("ENT.errorlog");
    errorLogDE.Rows.Add({message:msg});
}
</script>

I made a shared data extension with a message column of text that I can write to from anywhere in the JavaScript.

Answer 3

Try pasting it into a Cloud page or email and see what errors/status you get using Write(YOURVARIABLEHERE). My Guess at first glance is that it may be something to do with the JSON :D Doug