Variables declared even if unused

Javascript "uses" the variable, even if it's declared in an if statement. Most people probably won't run into this. I only did by accident in trying to get some cross-browser stuff working. Here's an example:

var i=5;
function test(){
  var a;
  if(a==0){var i=5;}
  alert(i);
}

Would you expect it to alert 5? In fact, it alerts as undefined. Even though the code within the if statement never gets executed, it still uses declares the variable. It's as if the following is happening:

var i=5;
function test(){
  var a;
  var i;
  if(a==0){i=5;}
  alert(i);
}

In fact, it'd be wise advice that any variables that you plan to use in a function should be declared at the top of the function outside of any control structures to prevent this from happening.

I just noticed one little oddity in all this and that is in how Firefox seems to handle passing in an event object. Here's another example:

var i=5;
function test(i){
  var a,i;
  if(a==0){i=5;}
  alert(i);
}
window.onload = test;

The argument of the test function is the Event object in Firefox. But I redefine the i variable on the first line. You'd expect i to be undefined as a result. Instead, the alert actually gives us our event object. It's only when I actually give my variable a value will it overwrite the event. Things to keep in mind!

Published February 12, 2005 · Updated September 17, 2005
Categorized as JavaScript
Short URL: https://snook.ca/s/333

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Mark Wubben said on February 13, 2005

I have to say I had to look this up, but here's the explanation. All quotes from JavaScript the Definitive Guide v4.

It is legal and harmless to declare a variable more than once with the var statement. If the repeated declaration as an initializer, it acts as if it were simply an assignment statement.

That explains your second observation: `var i;` doesn't overwrite anything, it'll only do that if you use `var i = null;`

Now, for your first observation:

All variables delcared in a function, no matter where they are declared, are defined throughout the function.

The book then shows an example which is about the same as your first observation. It boils down to this:

Although the [...] variable is defined throughout, it is not actually initialized until the var statement is executed.

In your example this means that `i` is declared, and thus overwrites `i` in global scope, but does not yet have a value, because it isn't initialized (since `a != 0`).

P.S. It would be handy if you'd allow the use of <code> in the comments ;-)

P.P.S. The notification checkbox status isn't preserved when you preview your comment.

Sorry, comments are closed for this post. If you have any further questions or comments, feel free to send them to me directly.