Auto-execute javascript functions AND call them later?

Question

I read on many places that you can auto launch js functions on load by doing :

$(function() {
    // code...
});

Or

var myFunc = function() {
   // code...
}();

My question is, how do you call these functions later ? Because the simple declaration

function myFunc() {
    // code...
}

can be easily recalled but doesn't auto-launch. I have to manually call them all on load, and that's annoying, take up spaces in the code and it can be an error source if i forgot one.

If you don't understand my explanations, here's an example :

I have a "weight" and a "height" field in my form, and i need to calculate the BMI (Body Mass Index). When the page loads, the weight and height are filled by the database, then i launch the calculation when everything's ready. But later, if the user changes the weight or the height, the BMI have to recalculate immediately. What's the best way to do that ? Using jquery or pure JS, I don't mind.

Thanks.

Joseph · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-22 14:42:17Z

49

A reusable immediate function

var reference = (function thename(){

    //function body

    return thename; //return the function itself to reference

}()); //auto-run


reference(); //call it again
reference(); //and again

Note that calling the function returns a reference to the function you just called.

var anotherReference = reference(); //anotherReference === reference

edited May 22, 2012 at 14:42

answered May 22, 2012 at 14:22

Joseph

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2 Comments

Willy Over a year ago

Does it matter if "reference" and "thename" are the same ?

Joseph Over a year ago

@Willy maybe (tried it and it works), but I'd like to make them different to avoid confusion.

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