Question

I haven’t grasped the concept how to use variables, in this situation for example.

Have two tries and nothing works as it should

First

var aWidth = { width: "610px" }, 1000

$('#Top1, #Bot1').show().animate(aWidth())

Second

var aWidth = animate({ width: "610px" }, 1000 )

$('#Top1, #Bot1').show().aWidth;

Answer 1

Here’s the best I can do to rewrite it properly:

First:

var animation = {
  properties: {width: 610},
  speed: 1000
};

$('#Top1, #Bot1').show().animate(animation.properties, animation.speed);

Second

$.fn.animate_width = function() {
  return this.animate({ width: "610px" }, 1000);
};

$('#Top1, #Bot1').show().animate_width();

I’d first learn normal JavaScript and then move on to jQuery. Without fundamental JavaScript concepts, you will be confused very quickly by jQuery’s syntax.