Javascript variable scoping issue

Question

I'm having a problem referencing a global variable inside an object literal:

function f() {
    globalVar = "test";
}

$(document).ready(function() {
    f();
    var a = $("#id").autocomplete({ 
        lookup: globalVar //says globalVar is undefined
    });
    $("#button").click(function() {
        alert(globalVar); //works
    });
});

How can I set the value of lookup to globalVar?

Is this your actual code? There's no reason globalVar would be defined in the alert(), but undefined for the property value assignment. — user113716
– user113716, Commented Sep 12, 2011 at 3:33
@patrick You're right, the alert is actually in a click event as shown. The alert did not work how I had it, but it definitely works as it is now. — Flash
– Flash, Commented Sep 12, 2011 at 4:05

Jayantha Lal Sirisena · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-12 03:21:41Z

1

you can define it outside all functions like this;

var globalVar ;

function f() {
    globalVar = "test";
}

$(document).ready(function() {
    f();
    alert(globalVar); //works
    var a = $("#id").autocomplete({ 
        lookup: globalVar 
    });
});

answered Sep 12, 2011 at 3:21

Jayantha Lal Sirisena

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Comments

Matt Briggs · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-12 04:13:59Z

0

There is no reason that shouldn't work, it either has to do with a misunderstanding on how to use that autocomplete function, or a problem in the function itself. But the global should be assigned, and there is no problem assigning a global to an object that way. Either way, without more code (i.e. that autocomplete function), can't say what the issue is.

answered Sep 12, 2011 at 4:13

Matt Briggs

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