I need to set a variables value within a function, but use it outside of the function. Can this be done?

$(document).ready(function() {
    $(window).scroll(function () {
        var myVar = something;
    });
    console.log(myVar);
});

I need to set a variables value within a function, but use it outside of the function. Can this be done?

$(document).ready(function() {
    $(window).scroll(function () {
        var myVar = something;
    });
    console.log(myVar);
});

• javascript

• 1 Before your .scroll handler, add var myVar;. In the .scroll handler, don't use var (which will create a new variable). Note, however, that myVar will be undefined when you log it because it's not set until the scroll handler actually runs. – Matt Burland Commented Aug 7, 2013 at 15:23

3 Answers 3

Yes, but you need to first declare it outside of the function.

$(document).ready(function() {
    var myVar;

    $(window).scroll(function () {
       myVar = something;
    });

    console.log(myVar);
});

Just know that myVar will only be updated after the scroll event is triggered. So, your console.log will log undefined because it runs before the event runs and sets the variable.

Yes. Just declare variable outside the function.

<script>
  var myVar = "foo";
  $(document).ready(function() {
      $(window).scroll(function () {
          myVar = something;
      });
      console.log(myVar);
  });
</script>