Functions in JavaScript are reusable blocks of code designed to perform specific tasks. They allow you to organize, reuse, and modularize code. It can take inputs, perform actions, and return outputs.
Understanding Functions
In functions, parameters are placeholders defined in the function, while arguments are the actual values you pass when calling the function.
Example:
function greet(name) { // 'name' is a parameter
console.log("Hello " + name);
}
greet("Alice"); // "Alice" is the argument
Parameter: name (placeholder inside the function).
Argument: "Alice" (real value given at call time).
Default Parameters
Default parameters are used when no argument is provided during the function call.
If no value is passed, the function automatically uses the default value.
function greet(name = "Guest") {
console.log("Hello, " + name);
}
greet();
greet("Aman");
Return Statement
The return statement is used to send a result back from a function.
When return executes, the function stops running at that point.
The returned value can be stored in a variable or used directly.
function add(a, b) {
return a + b; // returns the sum
}
let result = add(5, 10);
console.log(result);
JavaScript Function Parameters
Parameters (Function Input)
Parameters allow you to pass (send) values to a function.
Parameters are listed inside the parentheses in the function definition.
Example
function multiply(a, b) {
return a * b;
}
let result = multiply(4, 5);
Default Parameter Values
ECMAScript 2015 allows function parameters to have default values.
The default value is used if no argument is provided.
Example
If y is not passed or undefined, then y = 10.
function myFunction(x, y = 10) {
return x + y;
}
myFunction(5);
Parameters vs. Arguments
In JavaScript, function parameters and arguments are distinct concepts:
Parameters are the names listed in the function definition.
Arguments are the real values passed to, and received by the function.
JavaScript Function Return
A function can return a value back to the code that called it.
The return statement is used to send a value out of a function.
Returning Values from Functions
The return Statement
When a function reaches a return statement, the function stops executing.
The value after the return keyword is sent back to the caller.
Example
function sayHello() {
return "Hello World";
}
let message = sayHello();
Returning a Calculated Value
Most functions return the result of a calculation or an operation.
Example
function multiply(a, b) {
return a * b;
}
let result = multiply(4, 5);
Reference
https://www.w3schools.com/js/js_function_arguments.asp
