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Scope and Closures in JavaScript

Scope and Closures in JavaScript
Hostman Team
Technical writer
JavaScript
27.11.2023
Reading time: 8 min

JavaScript is a programming language that is widely used in web development. It is known for its ability to dynamically modify and process the content of a web page. One of the important aspects of the JavaScript language is scope and closures, that allow programmers to manipulate different elements in the program code efficiently.

Scope: global and local

A scope is the accessibility zone of code elements. It can be global or local.

Global scope implies that program elements are open for use in any part of the program. They are declared outside functions and blocks.

let breed = "Doberman";

function BreedOfDog() {
  console.log(`Breed of dog: ${breed}.`);
}

BreedOfDog();

In the example above, breed is a global variable. It can be used in any part of the program, including the BreedOfDog() function. When the latter is called, breed is used to output the dog's breed. 

However, using global variables can lead to problems. Consider the example below:

let breed = "Doberman";

function BreedOfDog() {
  console.log(`Breed of dog: ${breed}.`);
}

function changeTheBreed() {
  breed = "Labrador";
}

BreedOfDog();
changeTheBreed();
BreedOfDog();

Here, changeTheBreed() changes the breed value, and as a result, BreedOfDog() outputs a different breed of dog with a breed value of "Labrador". This behavior can cause confusion in the code and make it difficult to track variable usage.

Local scope means elements are available only in a specific block or function. It helps avoid conflicts between elements declared in different parts of the program. There are two types of local scope: function scope and block scope.

Function scope

Function scope is the scope of elements declared inside a function. 

Let's use the code fragment below as an example:

function multiplication(z, x) {
 var res = z * x;
 return res;
}

console.log(multiplication(4, 5)); // 20
console.log(res); // Error

Here, res is declared inside multiplication(), so it will only be available within that function. If you try to access res outside of it, JavaScript will return a ReferenceError.

Block scope

Block scope is the scope of variables declared within a block of code. It can be any code block enclosed in curly braces, such as an if conditional statement or a for loop. 

Let's use the code below as an example:

function calculatePrice(quantity) {
  let price = 100;
  if (quantity > 10) {
    let discount = 0.1;
    price = price - (price * discount);
  }
  console.log("Total price: " + price);
  console.log("Discount: " + discount);
}

calculatePrice(15);

Here, we define the calculatePrice() function. It takes the quantity of goods as an argument. Two variables are defined inside it: price and discount; price is initialized to 100.

Then we use the if block construct to check if the quantity of goods is greater than 10. If it is, we create a new discount variable and set its value to 0.1, which means a 10% discount. Then we change the price value to account for this discount.

Finally, we display the total purchase price and discount. However, if we try to refer to discount outside of the if construct, as in our example, we get an error.

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Function hoisting

Function hoisting is a mechanism that allows a function to be available before it has been declared in code. However, only function declarations are hoisted, not their definitions.

Let's look at an example:

let breed = "Doberman";

BreedOfDog();

function BreedOfDog() {
 console.log(`Breed of dog: ${breed}.`);
}

In this case, BreedOfDog() will be hoisted before it is called, so the code will run without errors.

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Declaring a variable and assigning it to a function as an expression is also possible. Then, no hoisting will take place.

let breed = "Doberman";

BreedOfDog();  // TypeError: BreedOfDog is not a function

var BreedOfDog = function() {
 console.log(`Breed of dog: ${breed}.`);
}

The code above will not work and will cause errors because the function is called before it is initialized.

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Limiting the scope of different functions

Every function has its own unique scope. Therefore, it cannot access elements declared in another function unless they have been passed as arguments.

Here is an example:

example2();
function example1() {
var var1 = "Secret message for example1";
}

function example2() {
var var2 = "Secret message for example2";
console.log(var2);
console.log(var1); 
}

In the example above, var1 is not available for example2(). Therefore, an error will appear when console.log(var1) is called.

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Nested scope

Nested scope means one scope is inside another. This means that the inner scope can access elements declared by the outer scope. This rule won't work the other way. 

For clarity, see the example below:

example1();

function example1() {
var var1 = "Secret message for example1";

function example2() {
var var2 = "Secret message for example2";
console.log(var1); 
}
example2(); // Secret message for example1
console.log(var2); // ReferenceError: var2 is not defined
}

Here, example2() has access to the variable var1, which is defined for example1(). However, example1() does not have access to var2, which is defined for example2(). If you try to access var2 from example1(), a ReferenceError will be called. This is because var2 is in the scope of example2() and cannot be accessed from code elements.

Closures

Closures are a mechanism for handling scopes in JavaScript that allows you to retain access to variables even after the function in which those variables were declared has been terminated.

function breed() {
  var nameOfBreed = "Doberman";
  return function BreedOfDog() {
    console.log(`Breed of dog: ${nameOfBreed}.`);
  }
}

var dog = breed();
dog();

In the example above, breed() returns BreedOfDog(), which remembers the value of the nameOfBreed variable at the time it was defined. We then pass the breed() call to the dog variable. We then call dog(), and it uses the stored value of nameOfBreed to output the string "Breed of dog: Doberman".

Closures are used to accomplish different tasks. For example, to control side effects, or to create private variables.

Controlling side effects

A side effect is a change of the program state outside the function. For example, when a function changes the value of a variable outside its scope, this would be a side effect. Side effect control implies that functions should not change program state outside their scope. Instead, they should return values that may be needed in other parts of the program.

function createCounter() {
  let count = 1;

  function increment() {
    count *= 2;
    return count;
  }

  return increment;
}

const counter = createCounter();

console.log(counter()); // 2
console.log(counter()); // 4
console.log(counter()); // 8

In the example above, createCounter() returns a nested increment() function that modifies count within its scope. After createCounter() has been called, a closure is created that stores count in memory and returns a reference to increment(). Thus, at the time counter() is called, the value of count is changed and the new value is returned. 

Private variables

Closures are also used for the purpose of creating private variables and methods. Private variables are variables that are only available inside a function. This can be useful when you want to hide some information or protect it from being changed.

In the example from the last section, the count variable was declared, which is private because it is not accessible from the outside and cannot be changed directly.

Checking scopes with DevTools

While developing JavaScript applications, you may encounter problems with scopes. A tool that can help you easily track and debug issues is DevTools.

Here are some ways to use DevTools:

  • Breakpoints

Breakpoints are places in the code where script execution will stop so that you can analyze the current state of the scope.

To set a breakpoint, click on the line number in the code editor in DevTools. Once the breakpoint is set, you can run the code, and the script execution will stop on the specified line.

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As you can see in the image above, we have set the breakpoints successfully. It is indicated by the blue highlighting of the code line number and the list of breakpoints in the right "Breakpoints" menu.

  • The debugger keyword

The debugger keyword is an instruction that, when executed, enables the JavaScript debugger in the browser.

To use debugger, you must insert it into your code:

function greet(name) {
  let greeting = "Hello";
  console.log(`${greeting}, ${name}!`);
  debugger;
  console.log("Done!");
}

greet("John");

When the browser executes this code and reaches the debugger instruction, it stops, and DevTools automatically opens in the "Sources" tab with the current cursor location, as shown below.

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  • Watch expressions

Watch expressions are expressions that you can add to DevTools to track variable values in real time.

To add an expression, click the "Add Watch Expression" button in the Sources pane of DevTools and enter the expression you want to watch.

For example, if you want to track the value of the name variable in real time, you can add the following expression:

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This will allow you to track real-time changes in the values of the variables.

Conclusion

This article has talked about scopes and closures in JavaScript. When done correctly, they allow programmers to create safe and manageable code that can be easily read and maintained. We also learned how to DevTools to help track and debug problems related to scopes.

JavaScript
27.11.2023
Reading time: 8 min

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Each element in the numbers array is doubled, resulting in a new array doubledNumbers. Using Anonymous Functions Anonymous functions can be used directly within map() for simple transformations. let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; let squaredNumbers = numbers.map(function(number) { return number * number; }); console.log(squaredNumbers); Output: [ 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 ] Here, an anonymous function computes the square of each number in the array. Using Arrow Functions Arrow functions offer a concise syntax and are commonly used with map(). let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; let tripledNumbers = numbers.map(number => number * 3); console.log(tripledNumbers); Output: [ 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 ] The arrow function number => number * 3 triples each number in the array. 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JavaScript

How to Use the Date Object in JavaScript

JavaScript provides a built-in Date object that simplifies working with dates and times. This tutorial will guide developers through the essential aspects of the Date object, including its creation, retrieval of date and time information, formatting, manipulation, and handling of time zones. Introduction to JavaScript Date Object The Date object in JavaScript represents datetime values, enabling developers to manage temporal data with ease. It is essential for tasks such as scheduling, time tracking, and logging. The Date object helps: Represent specific date and time values, such as "2022-07-25T14:30:00.000Z". Perform operations like retrieving, formatting, and manipulating dates and times. Simplify date and time calculations across different time zones. Understanding the basics of the Date object will help in managing time-sensitive data efficiently in web applications. Creating a Date Object Creating a Date object in JavaScript is straightforward. Here are the two common ways to achieve it:  Using the current time Using a timestamp Creating a Date Object for the Current Time The simplest way to create a Date object is by instantiating the current date and time: const currentDate = new Date();console.log(currentDate); This creates an object representing the current date and time in the user's local timezone. Creating a Date Object Using a Timestamp You can also create a Date object from a specific timestamp (milliseconds since January 1, 1970): const timestamp = 1643723400000; const dateObject = new Date(timestamp); console.log(dateObject); This is useful for manipulating dates stored in timestamp format. Now that we know how to create a date object, let’s see how to retrieve date and time information. Retrieving JS Date and Time Information The Date object provides methods for extracting various components of a date, such as a year, month, and hour. Key methods include getDate(): Returns the day of the month. getFullYear(): Returns the four-digit year. getMonth(): Returns the month (0-11, where 0 represents January). getHours(): Returns the hour (0-23). getMinutes(): Returns the minutes (0-59). getSeconds(): Returns the seconds (0-59). For example, to retrieve the current date and format it as MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:ss: function formatDate(dateObject) { const year = dateObject.getFullYear(); const month = dateObject.getMonth() + 1; // Months are zero-indexed const day = dateObject.getDate(); const hours = dateObject.getHours(); const minutes = dateObject.getMinutes(); const seconds = dateObject.getSeconds(); return `${month}/${day}/${year} ${hours}:${minutes}:${seconds}`; } console.log(formatDate(new Date())); Here is the result when executing the function.  There are however interesting methods we can use to format datetime into readable formats.  Formatting Date and Time JavaScript provides methods to format datetime values into human-readable strings. This allows developers to convert a Date object to a string or vice versa. Formatting a Date as a String To output a Date object as a human-readable string, use methods like toDateString() and toTimeString(): const currentDate = new Date(); const dateString = currentDate.toDateString(); console.log(dateString); const timeString = currentDate.toTimeString(); console.log(timeString); Here is the output: Converting Strings to Date Objects Developers can also convert readable strings into Date objects using the Date constructor: const dateFromString = new Date("October 10, 2024");console.log(dateFromString); However, it’s better to use recommended formats.  Recommended Formats To avoid errors when working with date strings, it is advisable to use reliable formats: ISO 8601 Format (Recommended): The safest and most reliable format is the ISO 8601 date format: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.sssZ. If only the date part is provided, it assumes the time as midnight 00:00:00. const date = new Date("2024-10-10T14:48:00Z");console.log(date); RFC2822 Format: Another accepted format is the RFC2822 format commonly used in email headers: Day, DD Mon YYYY HH:mm:ss GMT. const date = new Date("Wed, 10 Oct 2024 14:48:00 GMT");console.log(date); We now know how to format datetime values using the Date object. Let’s see how to manipulate date values for simple scheduling and calculations. Manipulating Date Values Date manipulation is essential for tasks like scheduling and calculating deadlines. JavaScript provides setter methods for modifying specific components of a Date object. Modifying Date Components Developers can modify specific components of a Date object using setter methods. Note that months are zero-indexed: let date = new Date(); date.setFullYear(2025); date.setMonth(5); // Set month to June date.setDate(15); // Set day to 15th date.setHours(10); // Set hour to 10 AM date.setMinutes(30); // Set minutes to 30 date.setSeconds(45); // Set seconds to 45 console.log(date); Adding or Subtracting Days Developers can easily add or subtract days using setDate(): let date = new Date(); date.setDate(date.getDate() + 5); // Add 5 days console.log(date); Date arithmetic can be accomplished using timestamps (milliseconds since January 1, 1970): let now = new Date(); let oneDayInMs = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; let tomorrow = new Date(now.getTime() + oneDayInMs); console.log(tomorrow); Comparing Date Objects Date objects can be compared using their timestamps: let date1 = new Date('2024-10-10'); let date2 = new Date('2024-12-25'); console.log(date1 > date2); // false (October 10 is earlier than December 25) console.log(date1 < date2); // true console.log(date1.getTime() === date2.getTime()); // false Now that we now how to manipulate dates values for calculation, let’s see how we can handle dates with time zones. Working with Time Zones The Date object is timezone-agnostic, meaning it doesn't have a built-in concept of time zones. However, JavaScript’s Date object handles dates in local time (system time zone) and UTC. When creating Date objects, it is essential to be aware of time zone conversions, especially when performing operations across different regions. Local Time vs. UTC JavaScript can work with localtime and UTC. Local time allows you to represent the time by the Date object when created without any specific time zone information, reflecting the local time of the environment in which JavaScript is executed. For example, creating a Date object in Paris will reflect the central European time zone. UTC is the time standard not affected by time zones or DayLight Saving Time (DST). Using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) ensures consistency and avoids ambiguity when working with dates and times across different time zones, simplifying time calculations, logging, and user experience management in applications that serve users in multiple regions. Creating Date Objects in UTC To create a Date object in UTC, use the ISO 8601 format: const utcDate = new Date("2024-10-10T14:30:00Z");console.log(utcDate); Converting Local Time to UTC To retrieve UTC date components, use getUTCDate(), getUTCMonth(), etc.: const localDate = new Date();console.log(localDate.getUTCDate(), localDate.getUTCMonth() + 1, localDate.getUTCFullYear()); Converting UTC to Local Time Similarly, to convert a UTC date to local time, you can use the local equivalent methods: const utcDate = new Date("2024-10-10T14:30:00Z"); // UTC date const localDay = utcDate.getDate(); const localMonth = utcDate.getMonth() + 1; // Months are zero-indexed const localYear = utcDate.getFullYear(); console.log(`Local Date: ${localMonth}/${localDay}/${localYear}`); Being mindful of time zones when working with dates in JavaScript is essential for ensuring accurate datetime representation, especially in applications that require coordination across different regions. Let’s learn more about common Date Object methods. Common Date Object Methods JavaScript provides several static and instance methods that simplify working with dates. Here are some key methods: Date.now(): Returns the current timestamp in milliseconds since January 1, 1970. Date.parse(): Parses a date string and returns the number of milliseconds since the Unix Epoch (January 1, 1970). If the string cannot be parsed, it returns NaN. Date.UTC(): Creates a Date object from UTC values. Date.toString(): Returns a string representation of the Date object in a readable format. valueOf(): Returns the primitive value of the Date object. These methods provide essential functionality for working with dates in JavaScript, enabling developers to efficiently manage and manipulate date values in their applications.  Conclusion The JavaScript Date object is an essential tool for managing datetime in web development. From creating dates to formatting and performing date arithmetic, mastering this object will enable developers to handle time-sensitive data efficiently, regardless of time zone or locale. By using built-in methods and libraries like Moment.js, date-fns, or Day.js, developers can ensure their applications deliver a smooth user experience when working with dates.
15 October 2024 · 8 min to read

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