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Complete JavaScript Course: Build a Real World App from Scratch

Discovering Functions

Explore the concept of JavaScript functions to structure code into reusable, focused blocks that simplify complex problems. This lesson helps you understand function declaration, calling functions, and the benefits of modular coding for easier maintenance and reusability.

We'll cover the following...

The role of functions

To understand the importance of functions, let’s refer back to the burrito algorithm.

Markdown
Begin
  Get out the rice cooker
  Fill it with rice
  Fill it with water
  Cook the rice
  Chop the vegetables
  Stir-fry the vegetables
  Taste-test the vegetables
    If the veggies are good
      Remove them from the stove
    If the veggies aren't good
      Add more pepper and spices
    If the veggies aren't cooked enough
      Keep stir-frying the veggies
  Heat the tortilla
  Add rice to the tortilla
  Add vegetables to the tortilla
  Roll tortilla
End

Here’s the same general idea, written in a different way.

Markdown
Begin
  Cook rice
  Stir-fry vegetables
  Add fillings
  Roll together
End

The first version details all the individual actions that make up the cooking process. The second breaks down the recipe into broader steps and introduces concepts that could be re-used for other dishes as well like cook, stir-fry, add and roll.

Our programs so far have mimicked the first example, but it’s time to start ...