JS - Functions

Introduction Functions

A function takes in inputs, does something with them, and produces an output.

 1 // This is what a function looks like:
 2
 3 var divideByThree = function (number) {
 4     var val = number / 3;
 5     console.log(val);
 6 };
 7
 8 // On line 12, we call the function by name
 9 // Here, it is called ‘dividebythree‘
10 // We tell the computer what the number input is (i.e. 6)
11 // The computer then runs the code inside the function!
12 divideByThree(10);

1. First we declare a function using var, and then give it a name dividByThree. The name should begin with a lowercase letter and the convention is to use lowerCamelCase where each word (except the first) begins with a capital letter.
2. Then we use the function keyword to tell the computer that you are making a function
3. The code in the parentheses is called a parameter. It‘s a placeholder word that we give a specific value when we call the function. Click "Stuck? Get a hint!" for more.
4. Then write your block of reusable code between { }. Every line of code in this block must end with a ;.

Defining Functions

function square(number) {
  return number * number;
}

• the name of the funciton
• A list of arguments to the function, enclosed in parentheses and separated by commas.
• The JavaScript statements that define the function, enclosed in curly brackets, { };

Function Expressions

Such a function can be anonymous; it does not have to have a name.

var square = function(number) { return number * number };
var x = square(4) // x gets the value 16

Scope(global vs local)

Variables defined outside a function are accessible anywhere once they have been declared. They are calledglobal variables and their scope is global.

Variables defined inside a function are local variables. They cannot be accessed outside of that function.