📌 Day 2: JavaScript Functions — Regular vs. Arrow Functions 🚀

👋 Welcome to the 30-Days JavaScript Learning Journey!

JavaScript functions are the backbone of programming, allowing us to write reusable and maintainable code. There are two primary ways to define functions in JavaScript:

👉 Regular (Function Declarations & Expressions)

👉 Arrow Functions (ES6 Feature)

Today, we’ll deep dive into these two types, compare their behavior, and understand when to use each. Let’s get started! 🔥

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1️⃣ 📌 What is a Function in JavaScript?

A function is a block of reusable code that performs a specific task. Instead of writing the same code multiple times, we can define a function once and call it whenever needed.

A function in JavaScript can be created using:

1. Function Declarations

2. Function Expressions

3. Arrow Functions (ES6)

Now, let’s explore them in detail.

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2️⃣ 📌 Regular Functions (Function Declarations & Expressions)

✅ 2.1) Function Declaration (Named Function)

A function declaration is defined using the function keyword and can be called before its definition (due to hoisting).

function helloGreeting(name) {
   return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}

console.log(helloGreeting("User")); // ✅ "Hello, User!"

✅ Function declarations are hoisted, meaning they can be used before they are defined in the code.

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✅ 2.2 Function Expression (Anonymous Function)

A function expression is stored in a variable and is NOT hoisted, meaning it cannot be called before its definition.

const helloGreeting = function(name) {
   return `Hello, ${name}!`;
};

console.log(helloGreeting("Bob")); // ✅ "Hello, Bob!"

❌ Hoisting Limitation Example:

console.log(sayHello()); // ❌ ReferenceError: Cannot access 'sayHello' before initialization

const sayHello = function() {
   return "Hello!";
};

👉 Fix: Use function declarations if you need hoisting.

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3️⃣ Arrow Functions (ES6 Feature)

Arrow functions were introduced in ES6 (ECMAScript 2015) to provide a shorter and cleaner syntax for writing functions.

const greet = (name) => `Hello, ${name}!`;

console.log(greet("Charlie")); // ✅ "Hello, Charlie!"

🔥 Arrow Function Syntax Variations

✅ 3.1 Single Parameter (No Parentheses Needed)

const square = num => num * num;
console.log(square(4)); // ✅ 16

✅ 3.2 Multiple Parameters (Parentheses Required)

const add = (a, b) => a + b;
console.log(add(5, 10)); // ✅ 15

✅ 3.3 Multi-line Body (Use {} and return)

const multiply = (a, b) => {
   return a * b;
};
console.log(multiply(3, 4)); // ✅ 12

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4️⃣ The this Keyword in Regular vs. Arrow Functions

One of the biggest differences between regular and arrow functions is how this is handled.

✅ 4.1 Regular Functions — this is Dynamic : Regular functions have their own this, which depends on how the function is called.

✅ Regular functions work correctly with this in objects.

const person = {
   name: "Alice",
   greet() {
      console.log(`Hello, I am ${this.name}`);
   }
};

person.greet(); // ✅ "Hello, I am Alice"

❌ 4.2 Arrow Functions — No Own this: Arrow functions do not have their own this and instead inherit it from their surrounding scope.

👉 Fix: Use a regular function inside objects to correctly reference this.

const person = {
   name: "Alice",
   greet: () => {
      console.log(`Hello, I am ${this.name}`);
   }
};

person.greet(); // ❌ "Hello, I am undefined"

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5️⃣ Arrow Functions in Event Listeners

Arrow functions do not bind this, which can lead to unexpected results in event listeners.

document.querySelector("button").addEventListener("click", () => {
   console.log(this); // ❌ `this` is undefined
});

✅ Use Regular Function for Correct this Behavior

document.querySelector("button").addEventListener("click", function () {
   console.log(this); // ✅ `this` refers to the clicked button
});

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6️⃣ When to Use Regular vs. Arrow Functions?

✅ Use Regular Functions When:

• You need hoisting.

• You need this to refer to the object (e.g., inside methods).

• You need access to the arguments object.

✅ Use Arrow Functions When:

• You want a shorter syntax for simple functions.

• You do not need this inside the function.

• You are using callback functions like .map(), .filter(), .reduce().

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7️⃣ Key Differences Between Regular and Arrow Functions:

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8️⃣ Final Thoughts

Understanding the differences between regular functions and arrow functions will make you a better JavaScript developer. 🚀

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Arrow functions are shorter, but they do not have their own this.

• Regular functions work better in objects and event listeners.

• Function declarations are hoisted, but function expressions and arrow functions are not.

💬 Which one do you use the most? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️

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