Scoping issue with a function

Hello all.

Please take a look at the following pseudocode:

function takeAParam(param) {

if (foo == bar) {
var baz = object.bat;
}

document.getElementById(param).innerHTML = baz;
}

Essentially what I'm trying to do here, is make a generic function that
will place specified content (from an object variable) in a specific
element (identified by 'param'.) When I try this code (with the right
specifications, etc.) I get "undefined" in that element. It appears to
be the case where baz is not visible outside the if loop. I would know
how to fix this in Java (declare the variable baz before the if loop)
but that doesn't seem to help in Javascript.

Any input would be appreciated.

wrote in news:1144328445.063117.244730 (AT) j33g2000cwa (DOT) googlegroups.com in
alt.comp.lang.javascript:

Hello all.

Please take a look at the following pseudocode:

function takeAParam(param) {

if (foo == bar) {
var baz = object.bat;
}

document.getElementById(param).innerHTML = baz;
}

function takeParam( param )
{
if ( foo == bar )
{
document.getElementById(param).innerHTML = object.bat;
}
}

Essentially what I'm trying to do here, is make a generic function that
will place specified content (from an object variable) in a specific
element (identified by 'param'.) When I try this code (with the right
specifications, etc.) I get "undefined" in that element. It appears to

If foo != bar what would you expect to happen ? baz would never
be assigned so is is *undefined*.

be the case where baz is not visible outside the if loop. I would know
how to fix this in Java (declare the variable baz before the if loop)
but that doesn't seem to help in Javascript.

The initial value of a variable (without an initialiser) is *undefined*
in javascript.

IOW if you want it to be defined you have to define (initialise/assign)
it.

Rob.
--
http://www.victim-prime.dsl.pipex.com/