What could be causing the return of undefined upon execution?

function updateTitle(title) {
  title = "updated title";
}

var currentTitle = "original title";
currentTitle = updateTitle(currentTitle);

console.log(currentTitle)

I'm just starting to learn JavaScript and I'm curious about why this code behaves in this way?

Answer №1

Expanding on UnholySheep's point, it is essential to return the outcome of the function in order to utilize it later within your code.

Referencing MDN Web Docs

The return statement concludes function execution and defines a value to be sent back to the function caller.

In this scenario, the function caller is switchBooks(myBook);

   function switchBooks(book) {
       var book = "the book name";
       return book; //This is what was missing
   }

   var myBook = "new book";
   myBook = switchBooks(myBook);

   console.log(myBook)

Answer №2

Make sure to include the return statement within the function.

function replaceBookName(book) {
 return book = "the updated book name";
}

var currentBook = "old book";
currentBook = replaceBookName(currentBook);

console.log(currentBook)

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