This content originally appeared on Go Make Things and was authored by Go Make Things
Historically, you created a new variable using the var keyword. Modern JS includes two new ways to define variables: let and const.
Today, we’re going to talk about the differences between them and how to pick which one to use. Let’s dig in!
Updating variables
Prefixing a variable with a variable declaration (var, let, or const) defines a new variable. Omitting a variable declaration updates an existing variable.
There’s a caveat to this: if a variable isn’t currently defined, omitting a variable declaration creates a new variable (you should always use a declaration to define a new variable, though).
// Create a new variable
let wizard = 'Gandalf';
// Update the wizard variable
wizard = 'Radagast';
let
let does almost the same exact thing as var.
The big difference between let and var is that you can’t redeclare a variable set with let in the same scope.
// The value of `sandwich` is "tuna"
var sandwich = 'tuna';
// The value of `sandwich` is now "chicken"
var sandwich = 'chicken';
// The value of `chips` is "Cape Cod"
let chips = 'Cape Cod';
// Throws an error: "Uncaught SyntaxError: Identifier 'chips' has already been declared"
let chips = 'Lays';
You can still change the value of chips. You just can’t declare it as a new variable once it’s already been defined within the current scope (more on scope in a few chapters).
// The value of `chips` is "Cape Cod"
let chips = 'Cape Cod';
// The value of `chips` is now "Lays"
chips = 'Lays';
// logs "Lays"
console.log(chips);
const
Unlike var and let, if you define a variable with const, it cannot be given a new value. It is, as the term implies, constant.
// The value of sandwich is "tuna"
const sandwich = 'tuna';
// Throws an error: "Uncaught TypeError: Assignment to constant variable."
sandwich = 'chicken';
It’s a bit misleading, though, because if you have an object or array defined with const, you can’t redefine it, but you can add and remove items from the object or array.
const sandwiches = ['tuna', 'chicken'];
// Strangely, this is allowed
sandwiches.push('pb&j');
Which variable declaration should you use?
Generally speaking, use let for values that will change and const for ones that won’t or shouldn’t. Avoid var, since let does the same thing but a little bit better.
I personally hate thinking about whether to use let or const, and have a tendency to just use let for everything.
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This content originally appeared on Go Make Things and was authored by Go Make Things
Go Make Things | Sciencx (2023-03-17T14:30:00+00:00) let, const, and var in vanilla JavaScript. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2023/03/17/let-const-and-var-in-vanilla-javascript/
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