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Chapter 5_ Functions in JavaScript

Chapter 5 explains the concept of functions in JavaScript, highlighting their importance for code reusability, organization, and maintainability. It covers how to define functions, use parameters and return values, and introduces function expressions and arrow functions. The chapter also discusses variable scope and provides practical exercises to reinforce learning.

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Ahmed Salah
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2 views5 pages

Chapter 5_ Functions in JavaScript

Chapter 5 explains the concept of functions in JavaScript, highlighting their importance for code reusability, organization, and maintainability. It covers how to define functions, use parameters and return values, and introduces function expressions and arrow functions. The chapter also discusses variable scope and provides practical exercises to reinforce learning.

Uploaded by

Ahmed Salah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 5: Functions in JavaScript

By Ahmed Thaer

What is a Function?

When I first started coding, my programs got messy quickly. I found myself copying and pasting
the same lines over and over. That’s when I discovered functions. Think of a function as a
mini-program inside your main program: it performs a specific task, and you can “call” (run) it
whenever you need that task done.

Why Use Functions?

●​ Reusability: Write code once, use it anywhere.​

●​ Organization: Break your program into logical sections.​

●​ Maintainability: Fix bugs in one spot, not everywhere you used the code.​

How to Define a Function

There are several ways to define a function in JavaScript, but here’s the most common:

javascript
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function greet() {
console.log('Hello, world!');
}

To run (“call”) this function, just use its name with parentheses:

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greet(); // Output: Hello, world!
Function Parameters and Arguments

Functions become powerful when you can pass them information.

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function greet(name) {
console.log('Hello, ' + name + '!');
}

greet('Ahmed'); // Output: Hello, Ahmed!


greet('Jannah'); // Output: Hello, Jannah!

●​ Parameter: The variable in the function definition (name).​

●​ Argument: The actual value you send in when you call the function ('Ahmed').​

Return Values

A function can give back (return) a result, which you can use elsewhere in your code.

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function add(a, b) {
return a + b;
}

let sum = add(5, 7);


console.log(sum); // Output: 12

Function Expressions and Arrow Functions

There are other, more modern ways to write functions in JavaScript.

Function Expression
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const sayHi = function() {
console.log('Hi!');
};
sayHi();

Arrow Function (ES6+)

Arrow functions are shorter, and I use them a lot:

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const multiply = (a, b) => {
return a * b;
};
console.log(multiply(3, 4)); // Output: 12

For single-line functions, you can make them even shorter:

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const square = x => x * x;
console.log(square(5)); // Output: 25

Default Parameters

You can give your parameters default values:

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function greet(name = 'friend') {
console.log('Hello, ' + name + '!');
}
greet(); // Output: Hello, friend!

Scope: Where Variables Live

Variables declared inside a function only exist in that function. This is called local scope.
javascript
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function showSecret() {
let secret = 'Hidden!';
console.log(secret); // Works here
}
showSecret();
// console.log(secret); // Error! Not defined outside the function

Variables declared outside any function are global and can be used anywhere.

Why Functions Matter

Almost every real-world JavaScript program uses functions. For example:

●​ Calculating prices in a shopping cart​

●​ Validating form input​

●​ Responding to button clicks​

Quick Practice

1.​ Write a function that multiplies two numbers and returns the result.​

2.​ Create a function that takes a name as input and returns “Good morning, [name]!”​

3.​ Make an arrow function that squares a number.​

Summary

In this chapter, I covered:

●​ What functions are and why we use them​


●​ How to declare, call, and use functions with parameters and return values​

●​ Function expressions and arrow functions​

●​ The concept of scope​

Next up: Objects and Arrays—the main way we organize and manage lots of data in
JavaScript!

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