Exploring the scope in JavaScript functions

Looking at this small code snippet and the output it's producing, I can't help but wonder why it's printing in this unexpected order. How can I modify it to achieve the desired output?

Cheers,

The desired result:

0
1
2
0
1
2

The actual result:

0
1
2
3
3
3

Here is the code snippet causing the issue:

var functions = [];

for (var i=0; i<10; i++) {
  console.log(i);
  functions.push(function() {
    console.log(i);
  });
};

for (var j=0; j<functions.length; j++) {
  functions[j]();
};

Answer №1

When functions are pushed into an array, they do not log the original value of i when created; instead, they log the current value of i at the time the function is called.

After the first loop completes, the value of i becomes 10, so any functions called after that will always log the value 10.

To preserve the value of i at various stages, you can create a closure to make a copy of the value:

for (var i=0; i<10; i++) {
  console.log(i);

  (function(){
    var copy = i;

    functions.push(function() {
      console.log(copy);
    });

  })();

};

The local variable copy will store the value of i and retain it. Alternatively, you can pass the value as a parameter to the function:

for (var i=0; i<10; i++) {
  console.log(i);

  (function(copy){

    functions.push(function() {
      console.log(copy);
    });

  })(i);

};

Answer №2

What you can expect as the result is:

1
2
...
10
10
10
... repeated 7 more times

The explanation for this outcome is quite straightforward. The console.log(i) statement within your loop correctly displays the value of i at each iteration. However, when you create and add a function to the functions array, you are effectively encapsulating all those functions over the same variable i. As the loop reaches its end, i no longer meets the loop condition, making i = 10 true. Consequently, since every one of these functions will execute console.log(i), and they are all enclosed over the same shared i which now holds the value of 10, you should anticipate seeing the number 10 printed ten times.

To mitigate this issue, it's advisable to create a function that returns another function rather than producing functions directly in a loop:

var functions = [], i, j;
function createEmitter(i) {
  return function () {
    console.log(i);
  };
}

for (i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
  console.log(i);
  functions.push(createEmitter(i));
};

for (j = 0; j < functions.length; j++) {
  functions[j]();
};

By following this approach, each newly created function will be confined within its own individual scope, effectively resolving the issue at hand.

Answer №3

Make sure to update your code example so that i is less than 3 in order for your results and function to align.

By pushing functions into the functions array, you are actually storing a reference to the variable i, which ends up being 10 after the top loop executes. Therefore, when these functions run, they will fetch the value of i (which is 10) and print it out 10 times.

Here's a practical way to visualize this:

for (var i=0; i<10; i++) {
  console.log(i);
};

console.log(i); //=> 10

Remember that variables can change their values; they are not static. You are simply holding a reference to something that can be altered elsewhere.

To resolve this issue, consider making a minor adjustment to the code. Instead of storing 10 functions, store only the numbers and then execute them using a single function. This approach is more concise and efficient. While this example may have been simplified from your actual problematic code, the underlying principle still holds true.

numbers = [];
for (var i=0; i<10; i++) {
  console.log(i);
  numbers.push(i);
};

numbers.forEach(function(i){
   console.log(i);
});

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