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JavaScript Callback Functions in JavaScript Callbacks with Timers Using Anonymous Functions with setInterval

Why would i want to use an anonymous function over a named function?

Why would i want to use an anonymous function over a named function? It seems like the named function would do the job just aswel

2 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points

A named function would do the job as well, but sometimes you don't need a name.

For example, if you're passing a callback function and your coding the complete function in the argument of the other function you are passing it to. This is a very common practice seen in code all the time. It just doesn't need to have a name. And by not naming it, it cannot get accidentally overwritten later in the code.

darryn
darryn
17,367 Points

Youโ€™ll find that there are a lot of one-off anonymous functions written in JavaScript.

These functions are written to be used once (like our callback functions).

If you know the function isnโ€™t going to be reused, naming it or storing it to a variable doesnโ€™t make sense. It would just add unnecessary lines of code to your project.

Andrew alludes to this in the first lesson of Callbacks with Timers.