CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javascriptrefactoring
musefan
musefan

Reputation: 48415

Are these lines of javascript code the same?

I am refactoring some javascript code from a previous project where the developer is no longer involved.

To keep short and to the point consider this simple code in a .js file

var a;
a = b;

These are the first 2 lines of the file. Basically it is just creating a variable of a to reference the 'file global' (something defined in another js file) value of b.

But is this not just the same as doing:

var a = b;

Is it safe to refactor this simple change, or are there some hidden dangers that are not obvious?

If it makes any difference, b is just a simple object such as:

var b = { val1: '1', val2: '2' };

Upvotes: 1

Views: 53

Answers (1)

Allan Chua
Allan Chua

Reputation: 10175

These two statements are identical. Thus a is just an alias for the global b.

Though we have to note that the arrangement of script references on the html page can cause a very popular problem. if the file that contains b's declaration goes after the file that contains the lines:

var a;
a = b;

then the browser is going to throw an error.

NOTE: The second example is just lighter in terms of JavaScript file size. Thus reducing HTTP request load which is not pretty obvious.

Upvotes: 4

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