calling a javascript function from a separate script?

Question

I want to organize my JavaScript so I thought I would make a functions JS file. Is there anyway I can call the functions from functions.js from global.js?

EDIT

functions.js:

var get_selects;
get_selects = {
    getLanguages: function() {
    }
}

global.js:

get_selects.getLangueges();

If the functions from functions.js are global functions, you can call them from global.js but make sure that you include the scripts in the correct order: 1. functions.js, 2. global.js. However, I recommend you to not define global functions - that just pollutes the global namespace (unnecessarily). A better alternative would be to have one global object - like PHIL - and then define those functions as members of that object. — Šime Vidas
– Šime Vidas, Commented Aug 12, 2011 at 18:20
haha, I will remember this though! If I were to surround all my javascript inbetween $(document)ready() tags would that effect anything with DOM readiness? — Phil
– Phil, Commented Aug 12, 2011 at 19:22

coreyward · Accepted Answer · 2022-05-26 22:58:01Z

5

Yes, functions defined at the top level are automatically available in the global scope (window in a browser), and this is typically not desirable.

Another approach that would mitigate this is to group your functions into a single object so you aren't polluting the global scope with a whole bunch of unrelated functions.

var utils;
utils = {
  toast: function(message) {
    alert("Notification: " + message);
  },

  sum: function(a, b){ return a + b; }
}

utils.toast('Email sent');
utils.sum(1, 2);

edited May 26, 2022 at 22:58

answered Aug 12, 2011 at 18:16

coreyward

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4 Comments

Phil Over a year ago

Can you elaborate on "using a closure" do you recommend not separating the scripts?

Phil Over a year ago

Okay, a lot of things make more sense, I'm still returning a "undefined" for (in your example) utils.

coreyward Over a year ago

Whoops! I had left a stray closing parenthesis in there. I added code for the its_a_trap function too so that it's valid (and more fun).

Phil Over a year ago

I apologize, I didn't mean "undefined" i meant "not defined" it can't find it.

Alex Turpin · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-12 18:15:46Z

0

If both scripts have been included in the same HTML file, sure, it will work out of the box. Best way to know is to try it.

answered Aug 12, 2011 at 18:15

Alex Turpin

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Jonathan M · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-12 18:17:24Z

0

All .js files load top level functions into the global namespace. So, yes.

answered Aug 12, 2011 at 18:17

Jonathan M

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Comments

Charles Forest · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-12 18:17:44Z

0

simply call it like anyother functions

yourFunctionName(yourFunctionParams);

be aware, you need to include your functions.js BEFORE your global.js, else it won't see your functions.

answered Aug 12, 2011 at 18:17

Charles Forest

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Comments

André Luan · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-12 18:24:50Z

From the moment you include a JS in the HTML file, all the functions become available. So, if you make like this, it will work:

<script type="text/javascript" src="functions.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="global.js"></script>

But (as soon as I know), you must include "functions.js" first. Otherwise, "global.js" will not be able to find the calls. You can also make a little function inside "global.js" to include "functions.js" on the fly, like this:

function include(js_path){
    //By Fabrício Magri e Micox
    //http://elmicox.blogspot.com/2006/12/include-em-javascript.html
    var new= document.createElement('script');
    new.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
    new.setAttribute('src', js_path);
    document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(new);
}

Than, on the beginning of your "global.js" you call this function to include the contents of "functions.js" on the section as soon as the browser requests "global.js"

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