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JavaScript DOM Scripting By Example Adding and Removing Names Removing Names

Khalil Khan
Khalil Khan
4,446 Points

Why do you add the 'return li' to the end of the function?

Why do you add the 'return li' to the end of the function?

I can't seem to get my head around the return syntax ( is it called a syntax?) Could you clarify it for me in a simple way?

Thank you!

Mark Casavantes
Mark Casavantes
Courses Plus Student 13,401 Points

Hello Khalil,

Please post your code with your question. It would help us understand what you need help with.

Thank you,

Mark

2 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

The "return" statement passes back the result to the caller of the function, which in this case is the event handler. This "createLI" function creates a new list item element, and it is returning that new element when it is complete.

Inside the handler, there is this code:

  const li = createLI(text);
  ul.appendChild(li);

So the list item that is returned is assigned to the variable "li" in the handler (same name, but different variable). The very next thing it does is to use that returned value to add the new list item to the existing list ("ul") so that it will appear on the page.

So does that help?