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JavaScript Function Definitions

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JavaScript functions are defined with the function keyword.

You can use a function declaration or a function expression.

Function Declarations

Earlier in this tutorial, you learned that functions are declared with the following syntax:

function functionName(parameters) {
  // code to be executed
}

Declared functions are not executed immediately. They are "saved for later use", and will be executed later, when they are invoked (called upon).

Example

function myFunction(a, b) {
  return a * b;
}
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Semicolons are used to separate executable JavaScript statements.
Since a function declaration is not an executable statement, it is not common to end it with a semicolon.

Function Expressions

A JavaScript function can also be defined using an expression.

A function expression can be stored in a variable:

Example

var x = function (a, b) {return a * b};
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After a function expression has been stored in a variable, the variable can be used as a function:

Example

var x = function (a, b) {return a * b};
var z = x(4, 3);
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The function above is actually an anonymous function (a function without a name).

Functions stored in variables do not need function names. They are always invoked (called) using the variable name.

The function above ends with a semicolon because it is a part of an executable statement.

The Function() Constructor

As you have seen in the previous examples, JavaScript functions are defined with the function keyword.

Functions can also be defined with a built-in JavaScript function constructor called Function().

Example

var myFunction = new Function("a", "b", "return a * b");

var x = myFunction(4, 3);
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You actually don't have to use the function constructor. The example above is the same as writing:

Example

var myFunction = function (a, b) {return a * b};

var x = myFunction(4, 3);
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Most of the time, you can avoid using the new keyword in JavaScript.

Function Hoisting

Earlier in this tutorial, you learned about "hoisting" (JavaScript Hoisting).

Hoisting is JavaScript's default behavior of moving declarations to the top of the current scope.

Hoisting applies to variable declarations and to function declarations.

Because of this, JavaScript functions can be called before they are declared:

myFunction(5);

function myFunction(y) {
  return y * y;
}

Functions defined using an expression are not hoisted.

Self-Invoking Functions

Function expressions can be made "self-invoking".

A self-invoking expression is invoked (started) automatically, without being called.

Function expressions will execute automatically if the expression is followed by ().

You cannot self-invoke a function declaration.

You have to add parentheses around the function to indicate that it is a function expression:

Example

(function () {
  var x = "Hello!!";  // I will invoke myself
})();
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The function above is actually an anonymous self-invoking function (function without name).

Functions Can Be Used as Values

JavaScript functions can be used as values:

Example

function myFunction(a, b) {
  return a * b;
}

var x = myFunction(4, 3);
Try it Yourself »

JavaScript functions can be used in expressions:

Example

function myFunction(a, b) {
  return a * b;
}

var x = myFunction(4, 3) * 2;
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Functions are Objects

The typeof operator in JavaScript returns "function" for functions.

But, JavaScript functions can best be described as objects.

JavaScript functions have both properties and methods.

The arguments.length property returns the number of arguments received when the function was invoked:

Example

function myFunction(a, b) {
  return arguments.length;
}
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The toString() method returns the function as a string:

Example

function myFunction(a, b) {
  return a * b;
}

var txt = myFunction.toString();
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A function defined as the property of an object, is called a method to the object.
A function designed to create new objects, is called an object constructor.

Arrow Functions

Arrow functions allows a short syntax for writing function expressions.

You don't need the function keyword, the return keyword, and the curly brackets.

Example

// ES5
var x = function(x, y) {
  return x * y;
}

// ES6
const x = (x, y) => x * y;
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Arrow functions do not have their own this. They are not well suited for defining object methods.

Arrow functions are not hoisted. They must be defined before they are used.

Using const is safer than using var, because a function expression is always constant value.

You can only omit the return keyword and the curly brackets if the function is a single statement. Because of this, it might be a good habit to always keep them:

Example

const x = (x, y) => { return x * y };
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Arrow functions are not supported in IE11 or earlier.


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