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JavaScript

Matthew Francis
Matthew Francis
6,967 Points
Posted by Matthew Francis
Matthew Francis
6,967 Points

Variables in for-loops

I'm confused with this code. I know that "var" is techincally a global variable, but I am still confused on how the code works. If someone could guide me step by step, it would be amazing!

for(var i = 0; i < buttons.length; i++) { 
 //for-loop will iterate once everything in the block is executed
      const button = buttons[i];  //in the first iteration, i = 0
      button.addEventListener("click", function() {
          alert("Button " + i + " Pressed"); //since this is still in the first iteration, i = 0. But apparently it is 10. Why is that?
      });
 //moves unto the next iteration, i = 1
  }
Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

Code in better format (for others reading this):

for(var i = 0; i < buttons.length; i++) { 
 //for-loop will iterate once everything in the block is executed
      const button = buttons[i];  //in the first iteration, i = 0
      button.addEventListener("click", function() {
          alert("Button " + i + " Pressed"); //since this is still in the first iteration, i = 0. But apparently it is 10. Why is that?
      });
 //moves unto the next iteration, i = 1
  }

2 Answers

Seth Kroger
Seth Kroger
56,414 Points
Seth Kroger
Seth Kroger
56,414 Points

Because i is in the global scope due to using var the callback you use in addEventListener will use the value of that global variable at the time the button is pressed, and not the value when the callback is created. Since the buttons will be pressed after the for loop is finished, i will be 10.

Using let instead of var will allow the current value of i to be "closed over" when the function is created, which sounds more like what you intend.

Tim Knight
Tim Knight
28,888 Points
Tim Knight
Tim Knight
28,888 Points

Matthew—

I'm assuming there's more to this code than you've posted right? What are you using to build the buttons array?

var as a variable assignment is actually block scoped so for example var i in this case only exists within the scope of the block (e.g. for loop). Not keep in mind the const assignment is meant to be a constant or a variable that can be assigned to the block scope that doesn't change... it's constant. Alternatively within ES6 you can use let, like let button = .... Also another suggestion, and you'll have to forgive me that I'm not sure if this code comes from a course exercise, but it's best to avoid looping over the creation of a function. Instead create a function on the outside and pass the object in the loop into that function. I hope that gives some clarity as you're reading through that.

Seth Kroger
Seth Kroger
56,414 Points
Seth Kroger
Seth Kroger
56,414 Points

var is function-scoped (or global if not in a function), not block-scoped. let and const were created to put block-scoping into JavaScript.

Tim Knight
Tim Knight
28,888 Points
Tim Knight
Tim Knight
28,888 Points

Ah yes Seth you're correct. I misspoke using block-scope when I meant function-scoped. Thank you for catching that.