cannot access javascript global variables

Question

<html>
<head>
    <title>Group Test</title>
    <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/javascript/jquery-1.8.2.min.js"></script>

</head>
<body>

    <script type="text/javascript">

    var global = new Array();
    $.ajax({
        url: "/json",
        success: function(reports){
            global = reports;
            process(reports);
            return global;
            }
        });


function process(reports){
    for (i=0; i<reports.length; i++) {
        document.write(i + " : "+reports[i].fields.report_name+"<br>");
        }
    }

    </script>

</body>
</html>

OK, so there is my code. I am trying to use the JSON data throughout my code, but for some reason, I get a "reports is undefined" error whenever I try to use the reports object outside of the $.ajax() function.

According to JSLint, the code looks good, AND lists both the reports and the variable global as global variables.

If I try to run anything that uses either of those outside, it won't work.

'success'(reports)
global
global
line 22
process(reports)
global
document

Oh yeah, screw the existing global properties. Let's just pollute the global namespace with our own variables. We don't need some stupid IIFE wrapper. :P — Šime Vidas
– Šime Vidas, Commented Oct 5, 2012 at 20:09

Anoop · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-05 20:07:44Z

1

You can not access reports as global object only global can be accessed from every place. reports is a local variable to success as well as for process function

<script type="text/javascript">

    var global = new Array();
    $.ajax({
        url: "/json",
        success: function(reports){
            global = reports;
            process(reports);
            return global;
            }
        });


function process(reports){
    for (i=0; i<reports.length; i++) {
        document.write(i + " : "+reports[i].fields.report_name+"<br>");
        }
    }
        // reports is undefined here. but global can be accessed (will be empty array before success function get called)
    </script>

answered Oct 5, 2012 at 20:07

Anoop

23.2k10 gold badges65 silver badges79 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

OneOfOne · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-05 20:09:50Z

0

Keep in mind $.ajax is async, so unless you call your functions inside the success callback, the value might not be set yet.

Also you'd need to use global not reports.

answered Oct 5, 2012 at 20:09

OneOfOne

100k22 gold badges195 silver badges187 bronze badges

1 Comment

MJR_III Over a year ago

I'm also curious if i chose to return "reports" would it then become available?

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

cannot access javascript global variables

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related