Function assigned to a variable

Question

As a newbie i would like to know that if we do

function square(x) { return x*x; }

and

var s = square;
square(4);

So basically the s is a new function in which the square function is copied? cause i am confused in this. please help.

s is a new function in which the square function is copied? No, now s references to the square — Tushar
– Tushar, Commented Oct 20, 2015 at 3:26
No, both are pointing to the same function, Have you heard of soft-link/shortcut in OS, it is the same concept — Tushar
– Tushar, Commented Oct 20, 2015 at 3:28

Felix Kling · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-20 03:28:27Z

2

so basically the s is a new function in which the square function is copied?

No, s is simply another "name" with which you can refer to the same function.

s === square will be true, i.e. both bindings will refer to the same object.

answered Oct 20, 2015 at 3:26

Felix Kling

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3 Comments

so you mean S is like a reference to that function,,

correct @MarcAndreJiacarrini, it is a variable point to the same spot in memory

A better word for "name" might be "alias". I think that was what you were going for, right?

Don · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-20 03:27:54Z

0

S is not a new function. It is merely a pointer to the square function. They are both the same.

answered Oct 20, 2015 at 3:27

Don

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