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JavaScript Function Expressions

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What is a Function Expression?

A function expression is a function assigned to a variable.

A function expression is a way of defining a function within an expression, rather than as a

standalone declaration.

A function expression can be assigned to a variable, passed as an argument to another

function, or returned from a function.

Example

const x = function (a, b) {return a * b};

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After a function expression has been stored in a variable, the variable can be used as a
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Example

const x = function (a, b) {return a * b};

let z = x(4, 3);

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The function above is actually an anonymous function (a function without a name).

Functions stored in variables do not need function names. They are always invoked (called)
using the variable name.

Note
The functions above end with a semicolon because they are a part of an executable
statement.

Later in this Tutorial

Function expressions offer high flexibility and are widely used in JavaScript for various
purposes, and you will see a lot more of function expressions in the following chapters:

Callbacks:
Passing functions as arguments to other functions, such as event listeners or
asynchronous operations.

Closures:
Function expressions help create closures, which allow functions to remember and
access variables from their containing scope.

Arrow Functions:
The concise arrow function syntax (=>) is a modern way of writing function
expressions.
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Immediately Invoked Function Expressions (IIFEs):

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often used to create private scopes
and avoid global variable conflicts.
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Function vs. Function Expression

In JavaScript, function and function expression refer to different ways of defining
functions, their different syntax and how they are handled.

Function Declarations
A function declaration (or simply a function) is defined using the function keyword followed
by a function name, parameters, and a code block:

function add(a, b) {return a + b;}

Function declarations are "hoisted" to the top of their scope. This means you can call a
function before it is defined in the code:

let sum = add(2, 3);

function add(a, b) {return a + b;}

Note
Semicolons are used to separate executable JavaScript statements.

Since a function declaration is not an executable statement, it is not common to end it with
a semicolon.

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const add = function(a, b) {return a + b;};

Note
Function expressions are commonly used to create anonymous functions.

Anonymous functions are functions without a name.

A function expressions can also be a named function assigned to a variable:

const add = function add(a, b) {return a + b;};

Function expressions are not hoisted in the same way as function declarations. They are
created when the execution reaches their definition, and cannot be called before that point:

let sum = add(2, 3); // ⛔ Will generate error.

const add = function (a, b) {return a + b;};

Key Differences
Syntax: Function declarations require a name. Function expressions can be
anonymous.
Hoisting: Function declarations are hoisted. Function expressions are not.
Flexibility: Function declarations offer more flexibility in how and where they are used.

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Syntax: A statement starting with the Syntax: A part of an expression or assignment,

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function keyword, followed by a required and can be anonymous (without a name).
name.

Hoisting: The function is moved to the Hoisting: The variable holding the function
top of its scope before code execution, might be hoisted (depending on var, let, or
allowing you to call it from anywhere const), but the function assignment itself is not.
within that code scope, even before its You can only call it after it has been defined in
definition. the code scope.

Flexibility: Primarily used for general- Flexibility: Can be used in various contexts,
purpose functions that need to be such as arguments to other functions
available globally or in a specific scope. (callbacks), immediately invoked function
expressions, and assigned to object properties.

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