Question

I’m pretty new to javascript and google maps. I have an input that, when submitted, geocodes the value and I’d like it to:

• if a map exists (something has been entered and successfully geocoded
  already), then recenter it
• else create the map centered on that point.

My code is kind of like this:

var map;

function getlatlong() { //this function gets the input value and then geocodes
    if(map.length){recentermap()} //if map exists, recenter map
    else{createmap()} //create map
}

function createmap(){ //this function creates the map (by editing `var map`)
    var map = new google.maps.Map();
}

I think I just don’t understand how js variables work… my question is, how do I see if var map has been changed if I change it within the second function?

Answer 1

When you say:

function createmap(){ //this function creates the map (by editing `var map`)
    var map = new google.maps.Map();
}

You are creating a local variable called map that only exists in the function createmap. You want to use your map variable that you declared in the outer scope, so you should not use the var keyword:

function createmap(){ //this function creates the map (by editing `var map`)
    map = new google.maps.Map();
}