Issue with Javascript Variable Scope

function, javascript, scope, variables

Solution

If I understood what you're trying to do (by looking at the code), this would be the best approach:

// If mute button is clicked place them into muted users list
// check for duplicates in list
$("#messages-wrapper").off('click', '.message button.muteButton');
$("#messages-wrapper").on('click', '.message button.muteButton', function(e) {
    $('#unMute').show();

    //create userId reference variable
    var chatUserID = parseInt($(this).parent().parent().attr("data-type"));

    //store userId in muted user object
    mutedUsers[chatUserID] = {};
    mutedUsers[chatUserID].id = chatUserID;
    mutedUsers[chatUserID].muted = true;
});

this.isUserMuted = function isUserMuted(payload) {
  var mutedUser = '';

  if (mutedUsers[payload.a] !== null) {
      mutedUser += ' muted';
  }

  return mutedUser;
};

The code retains the array of `mutedUsers`, and `isUserMuted` function checks if provided user is in that array. In the code you provided, you would attach a new event handler every time `isUserMuted` function is called..

The `isUserMuted` function could even be shortened to:

this.isUserMuted = function isUserMuted(payload) {
  return mutedUsers[payload.a] !== null ? ' muted' : '';
};

Problem

I have a variable mutedUser which I would like to have persist to another function. I am having a bit of trouble with the variable persisting outside the click event. What would be the best way to have it so the "return mutedUser" would keep the "muted" string addition based on the conditions of the if statement being met? Thanks! *The console.log's were me checking to see where the persistance stops ``` this.isUserMuted = function isUserMuted(payload) { var mutedUser = ''; // If mute button is clicked place them into muted users list // check for duplicates in list $("#messages-wrapper").off('click', '.message button.muteButton'); $("#messages-wrapper").on('click', '.message button.muteButton', function(e) { $('#unMute').show(); //create userId reference variable var chatUserID = parseInt($(this).parent().parent().attr("data-type")); //store userId in muted user object mutedUsers[chatUserID] = {}; mutedUsers[chatUserID].id = chatUserID; mutedUsers[chatUserID].muted = true; if (mutedUsers[chatUserID] !== null && mutedUsers[chatUserID].id === payload.a) { console.log("user is now muted"); mutedUser += ' muted'; console.log(mutedUser + 1); } console.log(mutedUser + 2); }); return mutedUser; }; ```

Original source