Repeat a function in JavaScript doesn't work

Question

So I am trying to make a simple translator. I am just having some issues with it. For example, I want it to register the letter B and then it will write bob. Now when I write b in the translate to box (which is the normal variable) it says in the translated to box (which is theifTalk) [object HTMLTextAreaElement]bob. And in the console it says: Cannot read property 'repeat' of undefined. Anyways here's my code:

const theifTalk = document.getElementById('theiftalk');
const normal = document.getElementById('normal');
const translateBtn = document.getElementById('translateBtn');


translateBtn.onclick = function() {
    theifTalk.value = "";
    translate();
}

function translate() {

    if (normal.value.includes("b")) {
        var bCount = normal.value.match(/b/g)||[].length;

        b().repeat(bCount.length);        
    }

}

function b() {
    theifTalk.value = theifTalk + "bob";
}

HTML CODE:

<textarea type="text" id="normal" rows="15" cols="80" placeholder="Normal text goes in here..."></textarea>
<textarea type="text" id="theiftalk" rows="15" cols="80" placeholder="Theif Talk text goes out here..."></textarea>
<br>
<button id="translateBtn">translate</button>

b() function is not returning anything, so when you call b().repeat the result of the function is undefined, so it is impossible to use repeat — Calvin Nunes
– Calvin Nunes, Commented Feb 19, 2020 at 16:38
b is a function that returns undefined and somehow you are saying it returns a method called repeat. — epascarello
– epascarello, Commented Feb 19, 2020 at 16:39
@CalvinNunes, is there anything else I could do to make this work then? — lasseesharp
– lasseesharp, Commented Feb 19, 2020 at 16:40

Mamun · Accepted Answer · 2020-02-19 17:10:29Z

1

As you are not returning anything from function explicitly undefined is returned. You have return the value from function. Also, theifTalk is the element itself, you should take the value from that:

function b() {
  theifTalk.value = theifTalk.value + "bob";
  return theifTalk.value;
}

You also should set the value back to the theifTalk:

theifTalk.value = b().repeat(bCount.length);

const theifTalk = document.getElementById('theiftalk');
const normal = document.getElementById('normal');
const translateBtn = document.getElementById('translateBtn');

translateBtn.onclick = function() {
  translate();
}
function translate() {
  if (normal.value.includes("b")) {
    var bCount = normal.value.match(/b/g)||[].length;
    theifTalk.value = b().repeat(bCount.length);        
  }
}

function b() {
  theifTalk.value = theifTalk.value + "bob";
  return theifTalk.value;
}

<textarea type="text" id="normal" rows="15" cols="80" placeholder="Normal text goes in here..."></textarea>
<textarea type="text" id="theiftalk" rows="15" cols="80" placeholder="Theif Talk text goes out here..."></textarea>
<br>
<button id="translateBtn">translate</button>

edited Feb 19, 2020 at 17:10

answered Feb 19, 2020 at 16:40

Mamun

69k9 gold badges51 silver badges62 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

Triby Over a year ago

I guess something is missing here: theifTalk + "bob", theifTalk is not a string. Ah, you've noticed already! LOL

lasseesharp Over a year ago

@Mamun That works, but just one problem. If i write 2 b's it still only says bob and not bobbob

Mamun Over a year ago

@lasseesharp, please update the question with relevant HTML....

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Repeat a function in JavaScript doesn't work

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related