How to access javascript variable's function

Question

I have a javascript file with this code:

(function () {

    var cookieconsent = {

        dismiss: function (evt) {
          evt.preventDefault && evt.preventDefault();
          evt.returnValue = false;
          this.setDismissedCookie();
          this.container.removeChild(this.element);
        },

        setDismissedCookie: function () {
          Util.setCookie(DISMISSED_COOKIE, 'yes', this.options.expiryDays, this.options.domain, this.options.path);
        }

    };

})();

How can I access the function "dismiss" from, let's say, the console of the browser or an a href link on the page?

This is the source of the file: Cookie Consent - GitHub

Thanks!

You cannot. The variable cookieconsent is local to the anonymous function in which it is declared. It is not visible or accessible outside that function (at least, not according to the code you posted). — Pointy
– Pointy, Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 13:48
Is this code you can modify or code that is included on a page you're trying to modify/use? — IMTheNachoMan
– IMTheNachoMan, Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 13:48
Also, if you really "have a JavaScript file with this code", understand that your code does absolutely nothing. — Pointy
– Pointy, Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 13:49
@IMTheNachoMan this code is a JS file included in my page. I can edit it, but I would need to access that function from the code in my HTML page — MeV
– MeV, Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 13:49

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:58:45Z

A variable is accessible in its scope only. So if you do

function helloWorld(){
  var test = "Test";
}

test is only available inside helloWorld.

When you do

var test = "test";

function notify(){
  console.log(test);
}

test will be accessible since it is defined in higher scope.

When you do same thing in a JS file, since this variable is not enclosed inside a function, it becomes a part of global scope (window) and hence they are available everywhere.

If you wish to make a variable global, you can use window.variableName and access it.

Note: Its a bad practice to pollute global scope. Refer Why are global variables considered bad practice?

Also if you wish to bind a function on HTML element, try

document.getElementById("elementId").addEventListener("click", cookieconsent.dismiss)

About accessing it on console, try logging it in console and then you can save logged object in a global object using chrome debugger and test it.

Michaël van de Weerd · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-01 13:53:58Z

2

You cannot because the variable is defined in the scope of the anonymous function that is called when this script is executed. You can however alter the code the make the variable accessible like this:

(function (global) {

    global.cookieconsent = {

        ...

    };

})(this);

answered Jun 1, 2016 at 13:53

Michaël van de Weerd

7981 gold badge8 silver badges16 bronze badges

Comments

Jan Turoň · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-01 13:52:00Z

1

Just remove the var keyword and access the function as cookieconsent.dismiss from the global context. See the @Pointy's comment to your question.

answered Jun 1, 2016 at 13:52

Jan Turoň

33.1k24 gold badges139 silver badges179 bronze badges

Comments

IMTheNachoMan · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-01 13:52:40Z

1

I suppose you could try a few different approaches:

(function () {

    window.cookieconsent = {

        dismiss: function (evt) {
          evt.preventDefault && evt.preventDefault();
          evt.returnValue = false;
          this.setDismissedCookie();
          this.container.removeChild(this.element);
        },

        setDismissedCookie: function () {
          Util.setCookie(DISMISSED_COOKIE, 'yes', this.options.expiryDays, this.options.domain, this.options.path);
        }

    };

})();

cookieconsent.dismiss();

answered Jun 1, 2016 at 13:52

IMTheNachoMan

5,9336 gold badges61 silver badges116 bronze badges

2 Comments

Rajesh Dixit Over a year ago

Do refer following post before using global scope: Why are global variables considered bad practice?

IMTheNachoMan Over a year ago

I will point out this is not very "good" code. If you can shed more light on what you're doing/trying-to-do then there might be a "better" solution.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to access javascript variable's function

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related