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Functions and creating your own functions
Ok, what are functions? Well, functions are chunks of code
that together achieve a more complex task, and are not executed until you
call upon them. Its like your trusted car-It can take you places, but it
only does that when you drive it-it does not start driving by itself. Unlike
regular lines of codes, the execution of them are deferred until you want
them to.
The basic syntax of a function is:
function whatever_name(){
function codes are entered here
}
Lets do a basic example:
function test(){
document.write("Hello there!")
}
We've just created a simple function. Note
that if only this were within your <script></script> tags, you will not see
"Hello there" on your screen. Like the car you own, it does not drive by
itself. To "drive" it, you have to call it. Take a look:
function test(){
document.write("Hello there!")
}
test()
Now the function is "summoned", and you will
see the words "Hello there!"
Functions with
Parameters
The beauty of functions is that it can
receive data from the "outside" world and process it. The term parameter is
used as a definition for "what goes into the function." You can supply
different data into the function each time. What this means is that you can
create one function, and use it over and over again. An example should clear
up this. Lets do an example that calculates the area of a trapezoid. The
formula is : (width1+width2)*height/2
function area(w1, w2, h){
var area=(w1+w2)*h/2
alert(area+" sq ft")
}
area(2,3,7)
area(5,7,4)
area(3,2,1)
- w1, w2, and h are what the function use
to store the input it receives from outside the function. They are the
parameters. In the first function call, w1=2, w2=3, and h=7
- You can have as many parameters as you
like; of course, you have to specify that in your function. In this case,
there are three: w1, w2, and h.
- Another reminder: Look at: alert(area+" sq ft"). How can
we add characters? Well, in JavaScript, we could, and the result is the
combination of the two strings into one. For example: alert ("Hi there"+"
What is your age?") is the same as: alert("Hi there What is your age?")
You are not limited to passing actual values
into a function that accepts parameters. You can also pass in variables can
contain these values. This adds flexibility to your functions. Lets look at
an example of such that'll demonstrate this concept:
<script type="text/javascript">
var x=prompt("Please enter your age")
function calsecs(age){
var temp=age*365*24*60*60
alert("You have lived "+temp+" seconds!")
}
calsecs(x)
</script>
Notice that we passed in x into the function, which can change each time a
person enters a different age. One important thing to take notice is that
the actual variable name that's passed in, "x", is not, and does not have to
be the same name represented in the function. For example, instead of using
"x", we used the name "age" in the declaration of the function . The name
"age" is simply a placeholder that "holds" the actual variable that gets
passed in. Simply put, the two names do not have to be the same, despite the
fact they represent the same "thing". Lets say I call the function above
another three times:
calsecs(z) //this time, "age" holds the variable "z"
calsecs(w) //this time, "age" holds the variable "w"
calsecs(m) //this time, "age" holds the variable "m"!
If the two names have to be the same, then
you are restricted to passing only that variable in, instead of "z", "m",
"w", or whatever you want!
Functions that return a value
Ok, I know you're sick and tired by now of
all the function talk, but this will be the last one, and a very important
one indeed. One thing to realize is that a function itself can return a
value. Lets see what I mean:
function diameter(x){
temp=2*x
return temp
}
Look at the part in red. This function will
take in a radius of a circle, and return the diameter. Lets see how this
function may be used in a script:
<script type="text/javascript">
var d=diameter(5) //d will contain 10
var a=3.14*diameter(5) //a will contain 31.4
</script>
See, by setting a function to return a value,
the function itself becomes, in a sense, a variable that will store what the
function itself returned. Is, and why is this useful, you ask? Because now
you can have a function process something, return the "processed goods", and
have the script continue on manipulating that variable. Normally, once a
function processes something, the processing of that "something" ends there.
BTW, if you didn't get a thing I just said in the last sentence, don't worry
about it! Just know how to return a value from a function, and sooner or
later, you will wonder how you lived without this knowledge for so long. One
thing to take note: A function can only return one value, just like a
variable can only contain one value at a time. For example, the following is
illegal:
function illegal(x){
temp=2*x
temp2=2*2*x
return temp
return temp2
}
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