Understanding Functions in JavaScript

Introduction

Are you a beginner in JavaScript seeking to understand the use of JavaScript functions and the various things you can accomplish using functions? Seek no more because you have found the answer.

Learn how to create functions in JavaScript using various methods, manipulate functions, use the return keyword, invoke or call a function, and the best practices for writing a function.

By the end of this article, you will get in-depth knowledge on how to use JavaScript functions to build dynamic websites with your codes looking more readable and organized. Let's begin!

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of JavaScript, including declaring a variable and assigning a value to it.
A code editor such as Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text

Creating Functions

JavaScript Function can be created using the built-in function keyword followed by the function's name, a parathesis to contain the parameter(s), and a curly brace that holds the functions to be defined. There are two ways to define or create a function this includes;

Function Declaration:

Syntax

function functionName(parameter){
Block of statement to be executed
}

Example

function getAge(currentYear, birthYear){
let age = currentYear-birthYear
console.log(age)
}

The example above aims to calculate a person's age using function declaration in JavaScript. The function's name is getAge which accepts two parameters: currentYear and birthYear. In this case, parameters are simply what the function requires from the user. The Javascript statement is written between the opening and the closing curly brace. In this case, the statement calculates a person's age by subtracting the birthYear from the currentYear and assigned to a variable age.

Function Expression:

Syntax

let functionName = function(parameters){
Block of statement to be executed
}

Example

let getAge = function(currentYear, birthYear){
    return currentYear - birthYear
}

The difference between the function declaration and expression is that the function declaration is defined using the function keyword. In contrast, the function expression involves assigning the function to a variable or constant.

Function Execution

If you executed the first two codes above, you'd notice that neither logged any output to your console, which brings about what we call function execution.

It invokes or calls a function to perform a specific task or computation. This can be achieved using the function's name, followed by parenthesis(), and should be written after the closing curly brace.

Looking back at the previous example, let's now call the function

//Defining the function

function getAge(currentYear, birthYear){
let age = currentYear-birthYear
console.log(age)

//Calling the function
getAge(2023,1995)// output 28

you can also decide to use the return keyword while writing the JavaScript statement and then logging the answer to the console while calling the function as seen below;

// Defining the function

let getAge = function(currentYear, birthYear){
    return currentYear - birthYear
}
// calling the function
console.log(getAge(2023,1995))// output 28

Note that return isn't the same as console.log: return stops the execution and returns a value, while console.log displays the output on the console. If you use the return keyword without the console.log, your code will run, but no result will be displayed.

Functions Calling other Functions

Functions can be reused or called anywhere within your code at any time, and the most exciting thing is that even new functions can call or reuse a pre-existing function. Assuming we want to create a new function that checks if a person is eligible to vote by using his or her age. We can achieve that by creating a new function, checkEligibleVoters, and calling the last function age within the function expression. Let's see how it works!

// pre-existing function
function getAge(currentYear, birthYear){
let age = currentYear-birthYear
return age
}

// new function
function checkEligibleVoters(age){
 let currentAge = getAge(2023, 2015)// calling the previous function

if (currentAge >= 18){
    console.log(`you're eligible to vote`)
}
else{
    console.log(`sorry! you're too young to vote`)
}
}
checkEligibleVoters(getAge)// output: you're too young to vote

Arrow Function

The arrow function is a shorter way of declaring a function expression and is especially useful when writing short and concise functions.

Syntax

let getAge = (parameter1,parameter2)=>{function expression}

let's now write the previous example using the arrow function

let getAge = (currentYear,birthYear)=>{
return currentYear-birthYear;
}
console.log(getAge(2023,2005))// output: 18

// can still be further simplified
let getAge = (currentYear,birthYear)=>currentyear-birthyear
console.log(getAge(2023,2005))// output: 18

Built-in Functions and Methods in JavaScript

Numerous built-in functions for JavaScript are provided as part of the language. Because they are pre-installed in the JavaScript runtime environment and can be utilized immediately, they are frequently referred to as "global functions" or "built-in functions." The following are examples of commonly used JavaScript built-in functions:

Array(): This function creates a new array object.
string(): This function converts values to strings.
Boolean(): This function converts values to Boolean.
Number(): This function converts a value to a number.
Math.floor(): This function rounds numbers down.
Math.round(): This function rounds numbers to the nearest integer.
SetTimeout(): This function is used for scheduling the execution of code after a certain delay or at regular intervals
Math.ceil(): This function rounds numbers up
console.log(): This function shows the result of execution on the console.

Best practices

Use descriptive names: To make your code easier to read and maintain, give the names of your function that are relevant and descriptive. The name of a function should appropriately describe what it performs or does.
Properly Document Your Functions: Use comments or documentation to describe the function's intent, expected input, return values, and possible side effects. This helps other developers understand and use your function correctly.
Limit Function Complexity: Ideal functions should carry out a particular task or have a distinct and narrowly defined role. Create short, concise functions rather than long, complicated ones. A complex process can be broken down into more manageable, reusable functions to help with code organization and readability.
Use Function Parameters: Instead of relying on global variables, pass data and values to functions through parameters. This improves the reusability of functions and makes the code more modular.

Conclusion

In summary, learning JavaScript functions is essential to mastering JavaScript development. Functions are a crucial language component, enabling you to encapsulate reusable code, solve problems, and create complex applications.

This tutorial covered the basics of JavaScript functions, including creating and calling a function using function declaration and expression, returning functions from other functions, using arrow functions, and some JavaScript in-built functions.

Remember to stick to best practices while writing your code and keep practicing and exploring the world of Javascript functions.

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