Console says JavaScript array is undefined, but I'm able to log its contents

Question

I have an array, gradesArray, which I'm able to see with console.log(gradesArray) within my program, but when I go to access it typing gradesArray or gradesArray.length or something similar into the (Chrome) console, I get ReferenceError: gradesArray is not defined.

Here's the jQuery I use to fill the array with Grade objects:

$(document).on('click', '#savegrades', saveGrade);

function saveGrade() {                     // grabbing data from a form
    var studentClass = currentClass;
    var studentName = currentStudent;
    var dateStamp = $(this).parents('#gradingform').children('#date').val().replace(/-/g, "");
    var teamwork = parseInt( $(this).parents('#gradingform').children('#teamwork').val() );
    var participation = parseInt( $(this).parents('#gradingform').children('#participation').val() );
    var punctuality = parseInt( $(this).parents('#gradingform').children('#punctuality').val() );
    var professionalism = parseInt( $(this).parents('#gradingform').children('#professionalism').val() );
    var timemanagement = parseInt( $(this).parents('#gradingform').children('#timemanagement').val() );

    var newGrade = new Grade(studentClass, studentName, dateStamp, teamwork, participation,         // create new Grade object from form values
                                punctuality, professionalism, timemanagement);

    alert('class: ' + newGrade.studentClass + ', name: ' + newGrade.studentName + ', date: ' + newGrade.dateStamp + ', teamwork: ' + newGrade.teamwork + ', participation: ' + newGrade.participation + ', punctuality: ' + newGrade.punctuality + ', professionalism: ' + newGrade.professionalism + ', time management: ' + newGrade.timemanagement + ', total: ' + newGrade.total);

    gradesArray.push(newGrade);
    console.log(gradesArray);
}

After this code runs, that console.log(gradesArray) bit works just fine, giving me a nice array of Grade objects. But when I type gradesArray into the console, I get a reference error telling me that the variable is undefined. Also, later in the program, I try to use if (typeof gradesArray != 'undefined'), but the function doesn't fire.

What's the deal? The browser will log the array if I ask it to from the .js file, but it won't if I ask it to right from the console; and, even after I've filled it with objects, it's still undefined, even though they're showing up in the console.

Thanks in advance.

I declared the array at the very beginning of the document ready function. — keekeejeejee
– keekeejeejee, Commented Jul 30, 2013 at 23:29
Problem solved--just forgot to make it global by declaring the array outside of the $(document).ready(function() {...});. Must be tired. Thanks to all. — keekeejeejee
– keekeejeejee, Commented Jul 30, 2013 at 23:33

Antti Haapala · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-30 23:29:27Z

4

You did not copy all code; your code is wrapped in another function ($(function () {})?) that contains the var statement for gradesArray. Because it is not a global variable, it cannot be inspected from the console. Easiest is to put the var statement outside your $():

var gradesArray = []
$(function () { ... });

answered Jul 30, 2013 at 23:29

Antti Haapala

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2 Comments

keekeejeejee Over a year ago

Yes! Solved. It's wrapped in the document ready function. Good call.

moonwave99 Over a year ago

Of course it was wrapped into $(...), so it's not available to console, +1 ^^

Rob · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-30 23:28:46Z

0

By the time you log in the console, gradesArray is out of scope. Try declaring it in global scope if you need it there.

answered Jul 30, 2013 at 23:28

Rob

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