Global Variables - Examples

This section provides a tutorial example on how global variables behave inside and outside functions.

To see how global variables behave inside and outside functions, I wrote the following tutorial example:

<html>
<!-- Global_Variable_Scope.html
   Copyright (c) 2008 HerongYang.com. All Rights Reserved.
-->
<head><title>Global Variable Scope</title></head>
<body>
<pre>
<script type="text/javascript">
   var globalVar;
   globalVar = "Cat";
   globalNoVar = "Dog";
  
   scopeCheck();

   document.write("\n\nAfter function call:");
   document.write("\n   globalVar = " + globalVar);
   document.write("\n   globalNoVar = " + globalNoVar);

function scopeCheck() {
   globalVar = globalVar + " - Updated";
   globalNoVar = globalNoVar + " - Updated";
   
   document.write("\n\nUpdated value in function:");
   document.write("\n   globalVar = " + globalVar);
   document.write("\n   globalNoVar = " + globalNoVar);
}
</script>
</pre>
</body>
</html>

This tutorial example tests two global variables: one declared with a "var" statement, and one without. Both variables behave identically. They are valid and accessible inside the function. See the output:

Updated value in function:
   globalVar = Cat - Updated
   globalNoVar = Dog - Updated

After function call:
   globalVar = Cat - Updated
   globalNoVar = Dog - Updated

Table of Contents

 About This Book

 Introduction to JavaScript

 ECMAScript Language Specification and JavaScript Dialects

 Data Types, Variables and Expressions

 Flow Control Statements

 Creating, Accessing, and Manipulating Arrays

Defining and Calling Functions

 Defining Your Own Functions

 Defining Your Own Functions - Example

 Calling Your Own Functions - Example

 Passing Parameters by Value or by Reference

 Function Parameters Are Passed as Local Copies

 Function Parameters Are Passed as Local Copies - Example

 Global and Local Variables - Scope Rules

Global Variables - Examples

 Local Variables - Examples

 Collision of Global and Local Variables - Examples

 "return" Statement and Return Value

 Web Browser Supporting JavaScript

 Server-Side and Client-Side Web Scripting

 Introduction to Objects

 Defining Your Own Object Types

 Inheritance of Properties and Methods through the Prototype Object Chain

 'jrunscript' - JavaScript Shell Command from JDK

 Using Functions as "Function" Objects

 Introduction to Built-in Object Types

 W3C's Document Object Model (DOM) Specifications

 AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript And XML)

 References

 Full Version in PDF/EPUB