Passing global javascript array to another function

Question

I have a small javascript which has a globally declared array. The values for that array are filled inside the function foo() as given below:

<html>
<head></head>
<body>
 <script>
    var myArray = [];

  function foo() {
     var j = 5;
      for (var i = 0; i < j; i++) {
         myArray.push(i+1);
       }  
    }

  function bar() {
   alert(myArray);
   }

 </script>
</body>
</html>

When I trying to access that array in another javascript function bar(), the values of array are null. How can I fix this?

Its working. Do i need to show a screen shot of mine in a comment? — Harpreet Singh
– Harpreet Singh, Commented Jun 24, 2014 at 7:01
But the global variable should be accessible anywhere inside the script without calling the function right? — mpsbhat
– mpsbhat, Commented Jun 24, 2014 at 7:07

Navin · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-24 06:58:27Z

1

you have defined the function but never called it.

Try calling foo() and bar() like this

  var myArray = [];

function foo() {
   var j = 5;
    for (var i = 0; i < j; i++) {
       myArray.push(i+1);
     }  
  }

function bar() {
  alert(myArray);
 }

 foo();

 bar();

JSFiddle

answered Jun 24, 2014 at 6:58

Navin

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5 Comments

Navin Over a year ago

@mpsbhat you're not understanding. simply defining a method/function wont execute, you need to call it. in your case see this JSFiddle

mpsbhat Over a year ago

But the global variable should be accessible anywhere inside the script without calling the function right @Navin?

Navin Over a year ago

@mpsbhat yes, that's the reason you're getting empty array in alert, if not global then you'd get myArray is undefined error.

mpsbhat Over a year ago

So once a global variable declared and if a value is assigned to it inside a function, then that value should present until the another value is assigned to it?

Navin Over a year ago

see this JSFiddle hope you'll understand now.

Bharath · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-24 07:14:55Z

1

If you are going to call bar() directly then.

<script>

  function foo(myArray) {

          var j = 5;

          for (var i = 0; i < j; i++) {

              myArray.push(i+1);

          }  

         return myArray;
  }

  function bar() 
  {
       alert(foo([]));
  }

  bar();  

// or

  alert(foo([]));

 </script>

Try to avoid as many global variables as you can,

edited Jun 24, 2014 at 7:14

answered Jun 24, 2014 at 7:02

Bharath

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