JavaScript var, let and const

What do the key words var, let and const do?
These key words are used to declare variables in JavaScript.

var firstName = 'Bob';
let lastName = 'Bobson';
const age = 20;

Both let and var can have their values changed after declaration and can be initialized without a value. Variables declared with const cannot change, and a value must be assigned when the variable is declared.

var firstName = 'Bob';
let lastName = 'Bobson';
const age = 20;

firstName = 'John'; // Runs without issue 
lastName = 'Smith'; // Runs without issue
age = 80; // Causes TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.

// Variables declared without assigning a value

let firstName; //Runs without issue
var lastName; // Runs without issue
const age; // Causes SyntaxError: Missing initializer in const declaration

A few things to note about const

• If the variable is an Object, the object attribute values can be changed and additional attributes can also be added. The variable cannot be reassigned.
• If the variable is an Array, the values in the array can change, but the variable cannot be reassigned.
• You will sometimes see const variables written in all caps const PORT = 8080. This is a stylistic choice.

// Objects
const obj = {
  firstName: 'Bob',
};

obj.firstName = 'John'; // Runs without issue
obj.lastName = 'Bobson'; // Runs without issue
delete obj.firstName; // Runs without issue
obj = {}; // Causes TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.

// Arrays
const arr = [1, 2, 3];
arr.push(4); // Runs without issue
arr = []; // Causes TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.

Understanding scope
There are three types of scope in JavaScript. The scope of a variable determines which other parts of the program can access it.

• Function Scope
• Block Scope
• Global Scope

Function Scope
Variables declared within a function will have functional scope. Whether you declare a variable as either var, let or const, it will only be accessible within the function it was declared in.

// Function Scope
function doSomething() {
  var firstName = 'Bob';
  let lastName = 'Bobson';
  const age = 20;
}
doSomething();

console.log(firstName);
console.log(lastName);
console.log(age);

// The three variables are not accessible outside of 
// the function so they cause a ReferenceError

Block Scope
You can create block scope by wrapping your code in {}. Both let and const are not accessible outside of the block they were defined in. On the other hand, var is accessible outside of the block it is defined in.

// Block Scope
{
  var firstName = 'Bob';
  let lastName = 'Bobson';
  const age = 20;
}

console.log(firstName); // Will run
console.log(lastName); // Causes ReferenceError: lastName is not defined
console.log(age); // Causes ReferenceError: age is not defined

Block Scoping can also be seen in for-loops.

for (var x = 0; x < 10; x++) {
  console.log(x);
}

console.log(x);
// Runs without issues

for (let x = 0; x < 10; x++) {
  console.log(x);
}

console.log(x);
// Causes ReferenceError: x is not defined

Global Scope
These are variables declared outside of the functional scope and block scope. They can be accessed globally in the JavaScript program. It is advisable to declare a limited number of variables like this. Having many global variables in a JavaScript program can often lead to unforeseen bugs as the program becomes more complex.

var firstName = 'Bob';
let lastName = 'Bobson';
const age = 20;

// Function Scope
function doSomething() {
  console.log(firstName);
  console.log(lastName);
  console.log(age);
}
doSomething();

// Block Scope
{
  console.log(firstName);
  console.log(lastName);
  console.log(age);
}

// Prints the variables without any errors

Key Takeaways

• Do not use var, use let and const instead. Since var is not block scoping, it can lead to unforeseen bugs in your program.
• Use const when you know the value will not change. Use let when the value will change

More info can be found on the MDN docs:

• var
• let
• const

Leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback.