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JavaScript Functions

1. A JavaScript function is a block of code designed to perform a particular task. It is executed when something invokes or calls it. 2. Functions are defined using the function keyword followed by a name and parentheses. Code to be executed is placed between curly brackets. Parameters accept arguments passed to the function. 3. Functions allow code to be reused and produce different results depending on the arguments passed. They may compute and return a value. Local variables declared inside a function are only accessible within that function.

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oussama
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82 views

JavaScript Functions

1. A JavaScript function is a block of code designed to perform a particular task. It is executed when something invokes or calls it. 2. Functions are defined using the function keyword followed by a name and parentheses. Code to be executed is placed between curly brackets. Parameters accept arguments passed to the function. 3. Functions allow code to be reused and produce different results depending on the arguments passed. They may compute and return a value. Local variables declared inside a function are only accessible within that function.

Uploaded by

oussama
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1/16/2021 JavaScript Functions

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JavaScript Functions
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A JavaScript function is a block of code designed to perform a particular task.

A JavaScript function is executed when "something" invokes it (calls it).

Example
function myFunction(p1, p2) {
return p1 * p2; // The function returns the product of p1 and p2
}

Try it Yourself »

JavaScript Function Syntax


A JavaScript function is defined with the function keyword, followed by a name,
followed by parentheses ().

Function names can contain letters, digits, underscores, and dollar signs (same rules as
variables).

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1/16/2021 JavaScript Functions

The parentheses may include parameter names separated by commas:


(parameter1, parameter2, ...)

The code to be executed, by the function, is placed inside curly brackets: {}

function name(parameter1, parameter2, parameter3) {


// code to be executed
}

Function parameters are listed inside the parentheses () in the function definition.

Function arguments are the values received by the function when it is invoked.

Inside the function, the arguments (the parameters) behave as local variables.

A Function is much the same as a Procedure or a Subroutine, in other programming


languages.

Function Invocation
The code inside the function will execute when "something" invokes (calls) the function:

When an event occurs (when a user clicks a button)


When it is invoked (called) from JavaScript code
Automatically (self invoked)

You will learn a lot more about function invocation later in this tutorial.

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1/16/2021 JavaScript Functions

Function Return
When JavaScript reaches a return statement, the function will stop executing.

If the function was invoked from a statement, JavaScript will "return" to execute the
code after the invoking statement.

Functions often compute a return value. The return value is "returned" back to the
"caller":

Example
Calculate the product of two numbers, and return the result:

var x = myFunction(4, 3); // Function is called, return value will end up in


x

function myFunction(a, b) {
return a * b; // Function returns the product of a and b
}

The result in x will be:

12

Try it Yourself »

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1/16/2021 JavaScript Functions

Why Functions?
You can reuse code: Define the code once, and use it many times.

You can use the same code many times with different arguments, to produce different
results.

Example
Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius:

function toCelsius(fahrenheit) {
return (5/9) * (fahrenheit-32);
}
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = toCelsius(77);

Try it Yourself »

The () Operator Invokes the Function


Using the example above, toCelsius refers to the function object, and toCelsius()
refers to the function result.

Accessing a function without () will return the function object instead of the function
result.

Example
function toCelsius(fahrenheit) {
return (5/9) * (fahrenheit-32);
}
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = toCelsius;

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1/16/2021 JavaScript Functions

Try it Yourself »

Functions Used as Variable Values


Functions can be used the same way as you use variables, in all types of formulas,
assignments, and calculations.

Example
Instead of using a variable to store the return value of a function:

var x = toCelsius(77);
var text = "The temperature is " + x + " Celsius";

You can use the function directly, as a variable value:

var text = "The temperature is " + toCelsius(77) + " Celsius";

Try it Yourself »

You will learn a lot more about functions later in this tutorial.

Local Variables
Variables declared within a JavaScript function, become LOCAL to the function.

Local variables can only be accessed from within the function.

Example

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1/16/2021 JavaScript Functions

// code here can NOT use carName

function myFunction() {
var carName = "Volvo";
// code here CAN use carName
}

// code here can NOT use carName

Try it Yourself »

Since local variables are only recognized inside their functions, variables with the same
name can be used in different functions.

Local variables are created when a function starts, and deleted when the function is
completed.

Test Yourself With Exercises

Exercise:
Execute the function named myFunction .

function myFunction() {
alert("Hello World!");
}
;

Submit Answer »

Start the Exercise

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