function expression

The function keyword can be used to define a function inside an expression.

Syntax

JavaScript
function [name]([param1[, param2[, ..., paramN]]]) {
   statements
}

Parameters

name
The function name. Can be omitted, in which case the function is anonymous. The name is only local to the function body.
paramN
The name of an argument to be passed to the function.
statements
The statements which comprise the body of the function.

Description

A function expression is very similar to and has almost the same syntax as a function statement (see function statement for details). The main difference between a function expression and a function statement is the function name, which can be omitted in function expressions to create anonymous functions. A function expression can be used as a IIFE (Immediately Invoked Function Expression) which runs as soon as it is defined. See also the chapter about functions for more information.

Examples

The following example defines an unnamed function and assigns it to x. The function returns the square of its argument:

JavaScript
var x = function(y) {
   return y * y;
};

Named function expression

If you want to refer to the current function inside the function body, you need to create a named function expression. This name is then local only to the function body (scope). This also avoids using the non-standard arguments.callee property.

JavaScript
var math = {
  'factorial': function factorial(n) {
    if (n <= 1)
      return 1;
    return n * factorial(n - 1);
  }
};

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 2017 Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Function definitions' in that specification.
Draft  
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Function definitions' in that specification.
Standard  
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Function definition' in that specification.
Standard  
ECMAScript 3rd Edition (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Function definition' in that specification.
Standard Initial definition. Implemented in JavaScript 1.5.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

See also

License

© 2016 Mozilla Contributors
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-us/docs/web/javascript/reference/operators/function

Function JavaScript Operator operator Primary Expressions