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JavaScript Functions as First Class Data: Array of Functions

Learning Goals

  • Create a JavaScript function that loops through a function Array

Introduction

Since functions in JavaScript are "first-class" objects, it means they can be treated like any other data type in JavaScript (Number, String, et al.). A fun way to experience this truth is to load up an Array of Functions and then call each Function.

Create a JavaScript Function That Loops Through a Function Array

Let's create an Array of dog-care functions so that we can report on the activities we take in caring for Byron the Poodle.

When this program runs, it should print out:

console.log("Wake Byron the poodle");
console.log("Leash Byron the poodle");
console.log("Walk to the park with Byron the poodle");
console.log("Throw the frisbee for Byron the poodle");
console.log("Walk home with Byron the poodle");
console.log("Unleash Byron the poodle");

Start by creating a function for every activity that you see listed above:

For example:

function wakeDog() {
  console.log("Wake Byron the poodle");
}
...

But wait, if we write it in this way, all of our uses of this function will be for Byron the poodle. Let's generalize now and make each function take a dogName and dogBreed parameter. Thus:

function wakeDog(dogName, dogBreed) {
  console.log(`Wake ${dogName} the ${dogBreed}`);
}
...

Additionally: Each function should return the string that it creates. That is, we should create a String, log it to the console (using console.log()), and return that String.

Continue writing "generalized" functions for:

  • wakeDog
  • leashDog
  • walkToPark
  • throwFrisbee
  • walkHome
  • unleashDog

Each function's implementation will be a generalized invocation of console.log().

Create the Array o' Functions

Next, create our "Array o' Functions!"

Create a variable called routine. This variable will be an Array all of the functions we've just defined.

Note that this array should hold references to each of the functions.

Create a Function to Process the Array o' Functions

Lastly, create the function called exerciseDog that will take in two arguments:

  • dogName
  • dogBreed

In the exerciseDog function, your goal is to call every function in the routine array with the dogName and dogBreed, and return a new array with the return values from each of those function calls.

To break that down into steps, exerciseDog should:

  • Iterate over the routine array to get access to each function in the array
  • Call each function in the array, passing the dogName and dogBreed received by exerciseDog() to each function when calling it
  • Store the return value of each function's call in a new array
  • Return that new array from exerciseDog

There are several ways of implementing the exerciseDog function; what's important is that you are able to iterate over the functions in the routine array and return a new array with the return values after calling each function. Think about what array methods can help you accomplish that goal.

Conclusion

This lab demonstrates the power of Functions as first-class data. We can stack them up in Arrays or assign them inside of Objects or save them to variables, or iterate over them. Instead of merely having Arrays of Strings and other familiar items, we can stuff them with work. And that's nothing short of amazing!

Resources