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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Creating Reusable Code with Functions Introducing Functions

Jake Smith
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Jake Smith
Data Analysis Techdegree Student 15,921 Points

What are some use cases for function declarations vs function expressions?

I don't understand the advantage of using one vs the other. Some use cases would illustrate this more and improve my understanding. Thanks! :)

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,744 Points

When creating a function that will be used frequently throughout the code, a function declaration is a good choice.

But if you're creating a function to be passed to another function as a callback, and won't be used anywhere else, a function expression can be used to create it anonymously directly in the other function call.

But I'm not sure the concept of "callback" has even been covered yet, so I'd suggest that you might continue on with your studies and wait until you get to concepts like that where you'll see plenty of examples of function expressions being used. It should make much more sense then.

Jake Smith
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Jake Smith
Data Analysis Techdegree Student 15,921 Points

Steven,

That makes a lot of sense. I do roughly understand the concept of a callback function.

Thank you for the clarification!