Javascript function not returning result [duplicate]

Question

I have a function that is not returning a value the way I would like it to. What the function does is get information that is echoed from a PHP page (the PHP page has an SQL query) and return it. Here it the code:

function getValues(var1,var2) {
  $.post("http://url/to/file.php", {var1:var1,var2:var2}, function(data) {
    values = data.split(',');
    return values[0];
  });
}

I know that the PHP file is working because if I were to write alert(data); or alert(values); I can see the values there. When I call the function, for example, var result = getValues(5,6); result is undefined. Maybe it is because they are not in a list or an array? Help appreciated, thanks.

You can't return out of a parent scope by returning out of a child scope. Secondly, in your given code, the $.post success is executed long after getValues returns. The structure used here simply won't work in an asynchronous nature. — user400654
– user400654, Commented Aug 14, 2012 at 15:48

kgautron · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-14 15:48:53Z

4

Because AJAX calls are asynchronous (first A of AJAX), and thus it executes a callback function, it does not return a result.

answered Aug 14, 2012 at 15:48

kgautron

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Ian Link · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-14 15:50:25Z

1

As KayKay points out, the async method will never return any data. However, if you really must have that return, you could set 'async' to false.

answered Aug 14, 2012 at 15:50

Ian Link

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2 Comments

user400654 Over a year ago

As long as you plan on never upgrading jQuery past 1.8

Ian Link Over a year ago

Ah, I did not realize they planned on removing the async parameter. Good to know, thanks.

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