Google map error: a is null

Question

I have a program that I want to use google maps for. The problem is I get an error that says a is null where a is a var used in the google map api. Here is how I call my goo

Answer 1

This happens when the map is not yet loaded. You should build your map when the Maps API JavaScript has loaded. Executing the function to initialize your map only when the API has fully loaded passing it to the "callback" parameter in the Maps API bootstrap.

function initialize() {
  var mapOptions = {
    zoom: 8,
    center: new google.maps.LatLng(-34.397, 150.644),
    mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
  }
  var map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map_canvas"), mapOptions);
}

function loadScript() {
  var script = document.createElement("script");
  script.type = "text/javascript";
  script.src = "http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?key=YOUR_API_KEY&sensor=TRUE_OR_FALSE&callback=initialize";
  document.body.appendChild(script);
}

window.onload = loadScript;

This is actually in the Maps API Docs here. Hope this helps!