Question

I have this code

var stats =  {
    GetMetaData : function() {
        var url = 'http://www.bungie.net/api/reach/reachapijson.svc/game/metadata/'+storage.get('apikey');
        $.ajax({
            url: url,
            success: function(data) {
                return data;
            }
        });
        return 'abc';
    }
}

I call the function using stats.GetMetaData();

I would expect the value returned to be the data variable from the ajax request.
But instead it is the string ‘abc’ why is this?

How can I return the data variable?

I tried doing return $.ajax({ but that just return the function code.

Answer 1

Because jquery ajax requests are asynchronous by default. You can make request synchronous by using async: false option or (better) use callback function.
Also, as CharlesLeaf notes, using synchronous request will lock up the browser until response is received.

About the whole concept of asynchronous operations.
I would link some explanation from jquery site, but it seems to be down now.