Code example:

 <script>
      var data = new Array();
      data[0] = 'hi';
      data[1] = 'bye';
 </script>

 <script>
      alert(data[0]);
 </script>

This gives the following error: data is not defined

How do you make something like this work? Especially if the first <script> block is being loaded on the page by ajax, and the second block is working from it. jQuery solution is acceptable.

Code example:

 <script>
      var data = new Array();
      data[0] = 'hi';
      data[1] = 'bye';
 </script>

 <script>
      alert(data[0]);
 </script>

This gives the following error: data is not defined

How do you make something like this work? Especially if the first <script> block is being loaded on the page by ajax, and the second block is working from it. jQuery solution is acceptable.

• javascript
• jquery

• Example works fine in my tests. Your original question had "New" instead of "new" which didn't work – dtech Commented Apr 9, 2012 at 17:16
• @dtech he is loading the first script asynchronously. that is his problem, see my answer – Alex Commented Apr 9, 2012 at 17:17
• @Zee Tee, You should put together a fiddle. – Alexander Commented Apr 9, 2012 at 17:19
• @Zee Tee complete your question beforehand and don't edit/add so much afterwards, a lot of initial answers and comments look dumb or are incorrect because your current question looks nothing like your original question. – dtech Commented Apr 9, 2012 at 17:22
• @dtech question was the same, code is a bit different (more clear). – Control Freak Commented Apr 9, 2012 at 17:24

4 Answers 4

New is not a keyword.

Use:

var data = new Array();

Or, more succinctly:

var data = [];

After your edit you mention that the first script block is loaded asynchronously. Your code will not work as written. data is a global variable, once it is loaded onto the page. You need to use a callback pattern to properly execute the code.

Since you haven't posted the asynchronous code I am not going to provide a callback sample. Though, a quick solution follows:

var interval = setInterval(function(){
    if(data) {
        /* ... use data ... */
        clearInterval(interval);
    }
}, 500);

To create a global variable, just omit 'var' from the statement. When you omit 'var', you're actually creating the variable in the window namespace.

So, zz = 1 is actually window.zz = 1

If you really wanted to, you could explicitly say

window.data = new Array(); //remember that new should be lowercase.

But you can write that faster anyway by saying

data = ['hi','bye'];
alert(data);

If you're using jQuery, perhaps you should try .getScript() rather than using .html();

// in separate file

data[0] = 'hi';
data[1] = 'bye';


// in main file

var data = [];

$.getScript(url).done(function() {
    alert(data[0]);
}).fail(function() {
    // handle error
});  

<script>
       data = [];
      data[0] = 'hi';
      data[1] = 'bye';
 </script>

 <script>
      alert(data[0]);
 </script>

use this, remove var makes variable global