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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Creating Reusable Code with Functions Returning a Value from a Function

Posted by iwgpnjvycw
iwgpnjvycw
8,577 Points

Confused about how to store the returned value of the function in a new variable

So I'm at the step where you're supposed to call a function getYear(), return the result and store it in a new variable. How do I write this??

script.js 
function getYear() {
 var year = new Date().getFullYear();
 return year;
}

getYear();
index.html 
<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
  <title>JavaScript Basics</title>
</head>
<body>
<script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

2 Answers

Gianmarco Mazzoran
Gianmarco Mazzoran
22,076 Points
Gianmarco Mazzoran
Gianmarco Mazzoran
22,076 Points

Hi,

like for the variable inside the function, you need to create a new variable that it's value is the function itself. Like this:

function getYear() {
  var year = new Date().getFullYear();
  return year;
}

var yearToday = getYear();

So if in the future you need to call the function getYear(), you can simply type yearToday!

iwgpnjvycw
iwgpnjvycw
8,577 Points

Thanks so much!

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,248 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,248 Points

You can declare a new variable and assign it in one step. Here's a generic example (not a spoiler):

var yourNewVariable = someFunction();

:point_right: Be aware that using the variable at a later point in the program is not the same thing as calling the function again. Depending on what the function does, the return value could be different at a later time, but the variable will still have the value returned by the function when the variable was created.

iwgpnjvycw
iwgpnjvycw
8,577 Points

Sorry for the late response, but thanks so much for the help. Much appreciated!