javascript function return clarification required

Question

In this function, am expecting the return value to be increment of variable value . However , i am getting original value ,

here is my function:

var num = function(){
    var a = 0;
    return a++;
}

alert(num()); //it giving the result as 0 instead of 1...why?

can anyone please explain this to me?

I agree, but as a first time i should get the value. look the great answers.. — 3gwebtrain, Sep 05 '13 at 12:36

score 4 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

4

The ++ acts after the 'return':

return a++ ==> return a, then add 1 to a

return ++a ==> add 1 to a, then return

edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

Community

answered Sep 05 '13 at 12:35

Don

2

`return` actually acts last with both. `a++` just gives the *old* value of `0` to `return`. – Jonathan Lonowski Sep 05 '13 at 12:39

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 05 '13 at 12:35

1

try

var num = function(){
    var a = 0;
    return ++a;
}

++a give the value after operation a++ give the value then do the operation

answered Sep 05 '13 at 12:35

Mohsen

2 Answers2