Are functions passed as parameters always callbacks? JavaScript

Question

If I have the code below, where I pass two functions as a parameters into the function sayHi, is this an example of a callback?

I notice there are two ways of running these 'parameter functions': either as below, we I call the functions where they are defined (as arguments), or alternatively where I call the parameter in the sayHi function. Would this be the difference between a callback and an anonymous function?

function sayHi(name, testForTrue) {
    if (testForTrue == true) {
        console.log(name);
    }
}

sayHi(function() {
    return 'Zach'
}(), function() {
    return true;
}());

Another way I could get the same result, is as below. In this case I am evaluating the functions at a different time? Is there any practical difference between the two?

function sayHi(name, testForTrue) {
    if (testForTrue() == true) {
        console.log(name());
    }
}

sayHi(function() {
    return 'Zach'
}, function() {
    return true;
});

sounds like you are over complcating things, what are you trying to achieve in an example? — user1620090
– user1620090, Commented Jun 13, 2015 at 8:25
Just a deeper understanding of how JavaScript works than I currently have — Zach Smith
– Zach Smith, Commented Jun 13, 2015 at 10:22
Considering the first example, that ain't 'callbacks'. Callbacks were used to call user-defined things when the function being called itself has done messing. ;) See @Jamen answer below. Those functions will be called before the actual function is called and will return values and pass them as arguments to the function. — Muhammed Talha Akbar
– Muhammed Talha Akbar, Commented Jun 14, 2015 at 8:20

Alnitak · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-14 08:15:55Z

4

Yes, functions passed as parameters are always callbacks, even if the intention is that the function is called synchronously (c.f. Array.prototype.map) rather than asynchronously (c.f. window.setTimeout).

In your first code block you aren't of course actually passing functions. You have two immediately invoked function expressions, where the key part in this context is immediately invoked. The function expressions are called at the point they appear in the code and only the results of those expressions are passed to sayHi.

answered Jun 14, 2015 at 8:15

Alnitak

341k72 gold badges420 silver badges503 bronze badges

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

Comments

6502 · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-13 08:20:35Z

2

In your first example you're not passing functions, but values; in other words

(function(){ return 3; })()

is just the integer 3.

It is a value obtained calling immediately a function, but this is irrelevant.

When you pass a callback it's the receiver that will call it (or pass it to some other function) and the code will be executed later, and not at the call site.

answered Jun 13, 2015 at 8:20

6502

115k17 gold badges177 silver badges277 bronze badges

Comments

score 1 · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-13 09:09:20Z

I guess that would depend on what your callback function is actually doing.

In your examples, all you're really doing is returning a value. That's not really a "function", it's returning one fixed value every single time.

If your function is actually doing a process, or returning a varied result, then I would personally consider it a callback. (The name of it is self-explanatory, really). Your script shouldn't rely on it, rather have it be a handler for the result of the function.

For instance, something like this would be what I consider a callback function:

function doSomething(callback) {
  var userInput = prompt("hello, enter a number 1-10"),
      hasWon = false;

  if (userInput === "3") hasWon = true;

  callback(hasWon);
};

With this provided, we can call it like this:

doSomething(function(hasWon){
  if (hasWon) alert("Congratz! You guessed my lucky number!")
});

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Are functions passed as parameters always callbacks? JavaScript

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related