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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Creating Reusable Code with Functions Returning a Value from a Function

How do I return a function?

function getYear () { var year = new Date().getFullYear(); return Year(); }

script.js
function getYear ()
{ var year = new Date().getFullYear();
 return Year();
}
index.html
<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
  <title>JavaScript Basics</title>
</head>
<body>
<script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

3 Answers

Matthias Margot
Matthias Margot
7,236 Points

Like this:

function returnFunction () {
  return (function () { console.log('hi'); });
}

var returnedFunction = returnFunction(); // this function call just returns the function in the return statement
returnedFunction(); // this logs 'hi'

Quick sidenote: the braces around the function in the return statement are not actually necessary I just put them there so it's a little easier to understand what's happening exactly. Putting the return function on a single line is also just something I did for easier understandability.

By the way what I'm returning in my code is called a function expression (pretty big deal in JS) you should read a bit about it to fully understand what's going on here.

Thank you, I just can't grasp this concept. No idea why. A mental block or something. thanks for trying though.

ding ding ding, Now I understand. Thanks !!!