jquery-ui-autocomplete is not loaded with wp_enqueue_script

Question

when I load the default jquery-ui-autocomplete script from wordpress via

wp_enqueue_script( 'jquery-ui-autocomplete', '', array( 'jquery-ui-widget', 'jquery-ui-position' ), '1.8.6' );

it is embedded, and all works fine, except the annoying notice message in debug mode:

Notice: wp_enqueue_script was called incorrectly. Scripts and styles should not be registered or enqueued until the wp_enqueue_scripts, admin_enqueue_scripts, or init hooks ...

The solution therefore is quite easy, only wrap the wp_enqueue_script call:

function add_scripts(){
  wp_enqueue_script( 'jquery-ui-autocomplete', '', array( 'jquery-ui-widget', 'jquery-ui-position' ), '1.8.6' ); //don't loads the autocomplete
  wp_enqueue_script( 'jquery-ui-autocomplete'); //same as above
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'add_scripts'); 

BUT these technique doesn't embeds the jquery-ui-autocomplete script, only the annoying message disappear. The only way the jquery-ui-autocomplete script is embed, is without wrapping it ...

Where is my error? According to the documentation in the codex it should be done by wrapping the call and simply call wp_enqueue_script( 'jquery-ui-autocomplete'); inside.

BR, mybecks

Answer 1

Are you sure it is not loading? I tried this(using WordPress 3.6-beta1):

function add_scripts(){
  wp_enqueue_script( 'jquery-ui-autocomplete' );
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'add_scripts');

I got jQuery and jQuery migrate in the header:

<script type='text/javascript' src='http://localhost/wordpress/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.js?ver=1.9.1'></script> 
<script type='text/javascript' src='http://localhost/wordpress/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.js?ver=1.1.1'></script> 

And jQuery UI in the footer:

<script type='text/javascript' src='http://localhost/wordpress/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core.min.js?ver=1.10.2'></script> 
<script type='text/javascript' src='http://localhost/wordpress/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.widget.min.js?ver=1.10.2'></script> 
<script type='text/javascript' src='http://localhost/wordpress/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.position.min.js?ver=1.10.2'></script> 
<script type='text/javascript' src='http://localhost/wordpress/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.menu.min.js?ver=1.10.2'></script> 
<script type='text/javascript' src='http://localhost/wordpress/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete.min.js?ver=1.10.2'></script> 

Do you have wp_head() and wp_footer() in your theme? Have you tried it with a simple theme and all plugins deactivated?

Answer 2

In order to use wp_enqueue_scripts action and be called by WordPress, the function call wp_head() must be added before the ending tag and the function wp_foot(); must be added before the ending body tag or