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JavaScript Scope
Block Scope
Before ES6 (2015), JavaScript had only Global Scope and Function Scope.
ES6 introduced two important new JavaScript keywords: let and const.
These two keywords provide Block Scope in JavaScript.
Variables declared inside a { } block cannot be accessed from outside the block:
Example
{
let x = 2;
}
// x can NOT be used here
Variables declared with the var keyword can NOT have block scope.
Variables declared inside a { } block can be accessed from outside the block.
Example
{
var x = 2;
}
// x CAN be used here
Local Scope
Variables declared within a JavaScript function, become LOCAL to the function.
Example
// code here can NOT use carName
function myFunction() {
let carName = “Volvo”;
// code here CAN use carName
}
// code here can NOT use carName
Local variables have Function Scope
They can only be accessed from within the function.
Since local variables are only recognized inside their functions, variables with the same name can be used in different functions.
Local variables are created when a function starts, and deleted when the function is completed.
Function Scope
JavaScript has function scope: Each function creates a new scope.
Variables defined inside a function are not accessible (visible) from outside the function.
Variables declared with var, let and const are quite similar when declared inside a function.
They all have Function Scope:
function myFunction() {
var carName = “Volvo”; // Function Scope
}
function myFunction() {
let carName = “Volvo”; // Function Scope
}
function myFunction() {
const carName = “Volvo”; // Function Scope
}
Global JavaScript Variables
A variable declared outside a function, becomes GLOBAL.
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<h2>JavaScript Scope</h2>
<p>A GLOBAL variable can be accessed from any script or function.</p>
<p id=”demo”></p>
<script>
let carName = “Volvo”;
myFunction();
function myFunction() {
document.getElementById(“demo”).innerHTML = “I can display ” + carName;
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
JavaScript Scope
A GLOBAL variable can be accessed from any script or function.
Global Scope
Variables declared Globally (outside any function) have Global Scope.
Global variables can be accessed from anywhere in a JavaScript program.
Variables declared with var, let and const are quite similar when declared outside a block.
They all have Global Scope:
var x = 2; // Global scope
let x = 2; // Global scope
const x = 2; // Global scope