Question

As total JavaScript beginner I am unable to use global variable while trying to use multiple functions. The code is as follows –

<script type="text/javascript">

        /* Global Variable example! Not working as one function called onClick. */

        function make_name_variable () { var y_name = document.getElementById('y_name').value; }
        function make_date_variable () { var y_date = document.getElementById('y_date').value; }
        function make_month_variable () { var y_month = document.getElementById('y_month').value; }
        function make_year_variable () { var y_year = document.getElementById('y_year').value; }


        function test(){
                    /*var y_name = document.getElementById('y_name').value;
                    var y_date = document.getElementById('y_date').value;
                    var y_month = document.getElementById('y_month').value;
                    var y_year = document.getElementById('y_year').value;*/

                    document.getElementById('Result').innerHTML = y_date + y_month +  y_year;


                    return true;
            }

        function compute () {

            make_name_variable ();
            make_date_variable ();
            make_month_variable ();
            make_year_variable ();
            test(); 
           }
    </script>

Using as:-

<input type="submit" value="Submit" onclick="compute ()">

Unable to get the result as expected. I want to use the data through out the page so wanted to keep it global for all functions to use. I was not able to set it global in the conventional way as well. Declaring the variable within function gives desired result.
As you must have a realized I am a complete noob so if there are other ways to get the things done please enlighten me. Somehow I feel there must be a better and easier way to solve this.

Thanks in advance. 🙂

P.S: First question here. Excuse my mistakes.

Answer 1

The var keyword declares a variable in the current scope. If you declare a var inside a function, it will only exist there. The MDN docs are generally very nice.