Javascript: return multiple values from different functions

Question

I am trying to return multiple values from different functions. The starting point is a bidimensional array. An example of the code is:

var items = [[0,1],[1,2],[0,2]];
var a;
var b;

function first() {
a = items[Math.floor(Math.random() * items.length)];
return a;
}

function second() {
b = a[Math.floor(Math.random() * 2)];
return b;
}

function third (){
  first();
  second();
}

third();

If I write the code outside the functions, everything works fine. When I use functions and replace return with console.log, it works. If I use functions and return (as in the code reported above), it gives me undefined. I didn't find solutions. Why the code isn't working?

Thanks in advance

What gives you undefined ? What do you want third() to do ? — AshBringer
– AshBringer, Commented Jan 19, 2017 at 9:36
Your functions are returning a value as is correct but you are not doing anything with the values. What do you want to do with the values ? — Frederick M. Rogers
– Frederick M. Rogers, Commented Jan 19, 2017 at 9:38
If you want third to return something, then you need write a return statement in third. — Sebastian Simon
– Sebastian Simon, Commented Jan 19, 2017 at 9:38

fatema · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-19 10:11:02Z

2

If you are declaring variable a and b outside function(like in your code) than there is no need to return the values. a and b will get defined. But if you are not declaring it outside, then store the return values in array variable.

var items = [[0,1],[1,2],[0,2]];

function first() {
a = items[Math.floor(Math.random() * items.length)];
return a;
}

function second() {
b = a[Math.floor(Math.random() * 2)];
return b;
}

function third (){
var a = first();
var b = second();
var arr  = [];
arr.push(a);
arr.push(b);
return arr 
}

var t = third();
console.log(t[0], t[1]);

answered Jan 19, 2017 at 10:11

fatema

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Comments

strwoc · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-19 09:45:36Z

1

If you want third to return values, add a return in it.

function third (){
  var a = [];
  a.push(first())
  a.push(second())
  return a;
}

answered Jan 19, 2017 at 9:45

strwoc

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Comments

Simone Sanfratello · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-21 08:54:13Z

1

Maybe you want something like

function third (){
  return {a: first(), b: second()};
}

then

var t = third()
console.log(t.a, t.b)

or if you're running on ES6

var {a,b} = third()
console.log(a, b)

see Destructuring assignment for further details

edited Feb 21, 2017 at 8:54

answered Jan 19, 2017 at 9:47

Simone Sanfratello

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