JavaScript 'var' Usage

The cluster debates avoiding the 'var' keyword in JavaScript, promoting immutable constants with descriptive names since variables rarely vary, with irony noted in examples simulating variables.

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Keywords

e.g NF gv.el SQL JS NEWS ISTR ASCII JavaScript GDP variables variable var lexical names value code dynamic constants definition

Sample Comments

mavhc Oct 31, 2025 View on HN

Really should invent a new name if you don't want your variables to vary

asplake Sep 4, 2022 View on HN

Slightly ironic that it says you don't need variables, then in the example (and without comment) simulates one

pekk Dec 18, 2014 View on HN

More like "if the person who wrote this code didn't want to use the var keyword"

mcraiha Oct 14, 2019 View on HN

There should be a law that says: "one shall not use var in JavaScript code examples"

whipoodle Aug 3, 2017 View on HN

They're not variables if they don't vary ;)

abigail95 Jan 24, 2024 View on HN

i do the same because i find the var keyword ugly

seanwilson Jun 18, 2015 View on HN

What's wrong with introducing an extra variable compared to introducing a comment?

jerrre Apr 3, 2018 View on HN

const var would become a nice contradiction...

vidarh Jan 24, 2013 View on HN

That's.... creative... I particularly love how the variable names keep changing in inconsistent ways, but also sometimes reuse older names.

JulianMorrison Feb 4, 2022 View on HN

Fair point. "value" and "var" then, perhaps?