← Learn Javascript

Functions

How to reuse code, protect variables, and organize code

slides | md

Introduction

Review the following sections and perform the activities on your own or with your group.

Perform the task(s) when you see this 👉 emoji

About Functions

// these built-in functions ...
alert("hello world!");

// all require parameters ...
console.log(123); // -> 123

// to do things 
Math.ceil(1.3); // -> 2

Create a Function

Use the function keyword to create a new function. Include parameters to customize its task. Use return to send data back to the code where it was called.

Code Reuse

Writing the same code over and over is not only inefficient and boring, it also makes it difficult to detect and fix errors.

let hex = "0123456789abcdef"
document.body.backgroundColor = "#" + 
	// create a random number between 0-15 to get a hexadecimal character
    hex[Math.floor(Math.random() * hex.length)] + 
    hex[Math.floor(Math.random() * hex.length)] +
    hex[Math.floor(Math.random() * hex.length)] +
    hex[Math.floor(Math.random() * hex.length)] +
    hex[Math.floor(Math.random() * hex.length)] +
    hex[Math.floor(Math.random() * hex.length)]

Custom Functions

If you find yourself typing the same instructions, consider using a custom function to make it easier to write and manage the code.

let hex = "0123456789abcdef"
function rand(arr){
	return arr[Math.floor(Math.random() * arr.length)]
}
document.body.backgroundColor = "#" + 
	rand() + rand() + rand() + rand() + rand() + rand();

Global Scope

The location in your code where you declare a variable determines its scope, or how it can be accessed by other parts of your program. With global scope, variables can be accessed from anywhere.

let foo = "hello";
function updateFoo() {
	foo = "goodbye"; // ✅ we can access a global variable
}
updateFoo();
console.log("foo =", foo); // -> "goodbye"

Local Scope

Alternately, with local scope, variables are accessible only within the statement block (and nested blocks) where they were declared.

function updateBar() {
	let bar = 123; // variable declared with local scope
}
updateBar();
// ❌ bar is local because was defined (scoped) in a block
console.log("bar =", bar);
// -> "Uncaught ReferenceError: bar is not defined"

Function Expressions

So far we've used function declarations. The function expression is also common.

const getCurrentHour = () => {
    let today = new Date();
    return today.getHours();  
}
console.log(getCurrentHour());

The arrow function is succinct when the function body can fit on a single line.

const getCurrentHour = () => new Date().getHours(); 
console.log(getCurrentHour());

Anonymous Functions

let button = document.querySelector(".btn");

// #1 - anonymous function used as click handler
button.addEventListener("click", function() {
	console.log("click! 🎉")
});

// #2 - named function used as the callback
var myFunc = function() {
	console.log("click! 🎉")
}
button.addEventListener("click", myFunc);

Next steps

1. Explore More Concepts at the end
2. Try the Exercises below.
3. Start working on homework listed in the schedule.
4. Continue to the next lesson: Data Structures slides | md

Exercises

👉 Try it out

1. Lottery v.2 - Show results of the game in HTML
2. Gradebook - Code a gradebook app using conditions, functions, and jquery.
3. Revisit this lamp demo to explore how it uses functions

References

• Haverbeke Ch3 Functions (39-55)
• Codecademy Cheatsheet(s) functions, scope
• w3schools functions, arrow functions
• JavaScript Functions vs Methods (and other helpful tips)

More Concepts

Continue for more related concepts.

IIFE

(function(){
	// an IIFE runs immediately but
	// the variables declared here
	// do not have global scope
})();

Side Effects

• Side effects are statements that evaluate an expression and produce some other effect instead of returning a value.

alert(1 + 1); // -> Opens a popup window
console.log(1 < 2); // -> logs to the console

Anonymous Functions (jQuery example)

NOTE: youmightnotneedjquery.com

$("button").click(function() {
	// jquery click() adds listener
    // anonymouse function used as handler
});

$("button").click(myCallback);

var myCallback = function() {
	// this is the same as the pure JS example
}