How can I create a global variable from inside one function for another function to use?

[phpjayx]

function parseDataJson2(returnValue) //NEW REQ 3

{

var listData2 = $.parseJSON(returnValue);

var cellHtml = '';

for (var i = 0; i < listData2.length; i++)

{

var dataItem2 = listData2;

 

 

 

}

}

 

I have the variable dataItem2 that I would like to be accessable from another function outside of this one. How do I make this a global variable?

 

Or if there is an alternate way to get the data, that would be great too..

 

 

Thanks in advance

[trq]

Or if there is an alternate way to get the data, that would be great too..

 

Return it from the function.

[codefossa]

/*
* Method 1: Declare the variable outside of the function.
*/

var myVar;

function myFunc()
{
   myVar = "This is a string";
}

alert(myVar);

 

/*
* Method 2: Return data from the function.
*/

function myFunc()
{
    return "This is a string";
}

var myVar = myFunc();
alert(myVar); // You could also: alert(myFunc());

Edited January 3, 2013 by Xaotique

[trq]

Please, don't ever do Method #1.

 

Functions should not have side effects.

[448191]

While I agree that global functions should not have side effects, ever, "global" is key in this advice. After all, in JavaScript functions are objects, and a constructor or member functions manipulate the state of the object. OO is about state and your can't change state without side effects.

 

Bit of a detour but an important distinction IMO. Side effects good, ignoring encapsulation bad. To put it simply.

[.josh]

You can also use window.myVar

[448191]

You could, but you shouldn't, for similar reasons you don't use globals in PHP.

[.josh]

Question was what can he do, not what should he do.  I figured I'd just be repeating the latter. 

[448191]

Guess I prefer giving advice over answering questions.

[.josh]

I prefer both, and like I said, the advice was already covered. 

[448191]

Fair enough, though I feel it's a bit irresponsible to provide alternatives that are ill-advised without explicit disclosure of that property.

[.josh]

You mean like how you and thorpe already did? 

[448191]

Uhuh, but you didn't reference any of that. Maybe it should've been obvious but I prefer being explicit. In any case let's leave it at this, we're going way off topic. Cool?

[.josh]

I prefer not to assume the OP is a moron who needs something repeated to him literally inches below the last time.  But that's just me.  But you are right, we are going way off topic, so let's drop it.

[448191]

Cool.