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

Posted by Ellen White
Ellen White
4,280 Points

I'm typing exactly what it tells me to and it still isn't working.

When it tells me to use "return" it then says Task 1 is no longer running.

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

3 Answers

elk6
elk6
22,916 Points

Hi Ellen,

You typed it correct. But the challenge also asks you to return the variable. So you should add a return statement in your function.

Like this:

function getYear() {
  var year = new Date().getFullYear();
  return(year);
}
lucybeck
lucybeck
6,055 Points
lucybeck
lucybeck
6,055 Points

HI Ellen, Looks great, just Add return year; Before last curly brace

Emil Rais
Emil Rais
26,873 Points
Emil Rais
Emil Rais
26,873 Points

Have you been returning the value directly rather than the variable? I.e:

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

You should first store the value in the year variable and then return the year variable. Then the parser that checks your code is satisfied.

Under normal circumstances I would always return the value directly rather than first storing it in a variable. The only exception is when the code that has produced the value is so complicated that the variable will serve as useful documentation. This is not even the case here as the value is clearly described by the code producing it as well as the function name it serves as a result for.