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Javascript Tutorial: Variable Scope and The Var Keyword: Simple Example With Comments

This document discusses variable scope in JavaScript and the use of the var keyword. It explains that variables declared within a function without the var keyword are globally scoped, while variables declared with var are locally scoped. Globally scoped variables can be accessed from any function, while locally scoped variables can only be accessed within their own function.

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I@Sydney
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8K views

Javascript Tutorial: Variable Scope and The Var Keyword: Simple Example With Comments

This document discusses variable scope in JavaScript and the use of the var keyword. It explains that variables declared within a function without the var keyword are globally scoped, while variables declared with var are locally scoped. Globally scoped variables can be accessed from any function, while locally scoped variables can only be accessed within their own function.

Uploaded by

I@Sydney
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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JavaScript tutorial: Variable scope and the var

keyword
Global means a variable can be referenced anywhere in the current document. Local
means a variable can only be referenced within the function it is declared.

You can reference all local variables inside the same function the variables are
declared.
(L1) local variable declared with var keyword
(L2) local variable declared without var keyword
(L3) local variable declared with var keyword inside if statement

You can reference all global variables inside any function.


(G1) global variable declared with var keyword
(G2) global variable without var keyword
(G3) global variable declared with var keyword inside if statement

Outside a function, you can only reference local variables that are not declared with
the var keyword.
Commented out. Cannot reference (L1)
(L2) local variable declared without var keyword
Commented out. Cannot reference (L3)

Outside a function, you can reference all global variables.


(G1) global variable declared with var keyword
(G2) global variable without var keyword
(G3) global variable declared with var keyword inside if statement

Simple example with comments:


<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript">
<!--
var numberCars = 3; // global
numberTrees = 15; // global
if (numberTrees > numberCars) {
var numberRoads = 4; // global
} else {
var numberLakes = 9; // global, but will be undefined since
never get in here.
}
function simpleFunction()
{
var colorCar = 'blue'; // local
colorTree = 'green'; // global, once this function is called
if (colorCar != colorTree) {
var colorRoad = 'grey'; // local anywhere in this
function after this line
} else {
var colorLake = 'aqua'; // local, but will be undefined
since never get in here.
}
}
//-->
</script>
</head>
<body></body>
</html>

The output above is generated with the following code:

Note that this JavaScript is placed between the <body> tags, not in the <head>.

<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript">


<!--
var globalVar1 = '(G1) global variable declared with var keyword';
globalVar2 = '(G2) global variable without var keyword';
var someBoolean = true;
if (someBoolean) {
var globalVar3 = '(G3) global variable declared with var keyword
inside if statement';
}

function sampleFunction()
{
var localVar1 = '(L1) local variable declared with var keyword';
localVar2 = '(L2) local variable declared without var keyword';
if (someBoolean) {
var localVar3 = '(L3) local variable declared with var
keyword inside if statement';
}

document.writeln('<b>You can reference all local variables


inside the same function the variables are declared.</b><br />');
document.writeln(localVar1 + '<br />');
document.writeln(localVar2 + '<br />');
document.writeln(localVar3 + '<br /><br />');

document.writeln('<b>You can reference all global variables


inside any function.</b><br />');
document.writeln(globalVar1 + '<br />');
document.writeln(globalVar2 + '<br />');
document.writeln(globalVar3 + '<br /><br />');
}

sampleFunction();

document.writeln('<b>Outside a function, you can only reference local


variables that are not declared with the var keyword.</b><br />');
document.writeln('Commented out. Cannot reference (L1)<br />');
//document.writeln(localVar1 + '<br />');
document.writeln(localVar2 + '<br />');
document.writeln('Commented out. Cannot reference (L3)<br /><br
/>'); //document.writeln(localVar3 + '<br />');
document.writeln('<b>Outside a function, you can reference all global
variables.</b><br />');
document.writeln(globalVar1 + '<br />');
document.writeln(globalVar2 + '<br />');
document.writeln(globalVar3);
//-->
</script>

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