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## Chapter 4
Statements

This chapter describes all JavaScript statements. JavaScript statements consist of keywords used with the appropriate syntax. A single statement may span multiple lines. Multiple statements may occur on a single line if each statement is separated by a semicolon. Syntax conventions: All keywords in syntax statements are in bold. Words in italics represent user-defined names or statements. Any portions enclosed in square brackets, [ ], are optional. {statements} indicates a block of statements, which can consist of a single statement or multiple statements delimited by a curly braces { }. The following table lists statements available in JavaScript.

Table 4.1 JavaScript statements.

    break

Terminates the current while or for loop and transfers program control to the statement following the terminated loop.

    comment

Notations by the author to explain what a script does. Comments are ignored by the interpreter.

    continue

Terminates execution of the block of statements in a while or for loop, and continues execution of the loop with the next iteration.

    do...while

Executes the specified statements until the test condition evaluates to false. Statements execute at least once.

    export

Allows a signed script to provide properties, functions, and objects to other signed or unsigned scripts.

    for

Creates a loop that consists of three optional expressions, enclosed in parentheses and separated by semicolons, followed by a block of statements executed in the loop.

    for...in

Iterates a specified variable over all the properties of an object. For each distinct property, JavaScript executes the specified statements.

    function

Declares a function with the specified parameters. Acceptable parameters include strings, numbers, and objects.

    if...else

Executes a set of statements if a specified condition is true. If the condition is false, another set of statements can be executed.

    import

Allows a script to import properties, functions, and objects from a signed script that has exported the information.

    label

Provides an identifier that can be used with break or continue to indicate where the program should continue execution.

    return

Specifies the value to be returned by a function.

    switch

Allows a program to evaluate an expression and attempt to match the expression's value to a case label.

    var

Declares a variable, optionally initializing it to a value.

    while

Creates a loop that evaluates an expression, and if it is true, executes a block of statements. The loop then repeats, as long as the specified condition is true.

    with

Establishes the default object for a set of statements.

## break

Use the break statement to terminate a loop, `switch`, or label statement. Terminates the current loop, `switch`, or label statement and transfers program control to the statement following the terminated loop.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    break [label]

#### Parameter

    label

Identifier associated with the label of the statement.

#### Description

The `break` statement includes an optional label that allows the program to break out of a labeled statement. The statements in a labeled statement can be of any type.

#### Examples

Example 1. The following function has a `break` statement that terminates the `while` loop when `e` is 3, and then returns the value 3 * `x`.

    function testBreak(x) {
       var i = 0
       while (i < 6) {
          if (i == 3)
             break
          i++
       }
       return i*x
    }

Example 2. In the following example, a statement labeled `checkiandj` contains a statement labeled `checkj`. If `break` is encountered, the program breaks out of the `checkj` statement and continues with the remainder of the `checkiandj` statement. If `break` had a label of `checkiandj`, the program would break out of the `checkiandj` statement and continue at the statement following `checkiandj`.

    checkiandj :
       if (4==i) {
          document.write("You've entered " + i + ".<BR>");
          checkj :
             if (2==j) {
                document.write("You've entered " + j + ".<BR>");
                break checkj;
                document.write("The sum is " + (i+j) + ".<BR>");
             }
          document.write(i + "-" + j + "=" + (i-j) + ".<BR>");
       }

#### See also

`continue`, `label`, `switch`

## comment

Notations by the author to explain what a script does. Comments are ignored by the interpreter.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    // comment text
    /* multiple line comment text */

#### Description

JavaScript supports Java-style comments:

- Comments on a single line are preceded by a double-slash (//).

- Comments that span multiple lines are preceded by a /* and followed by a */.

#### Examples

    // This is a single-line comment.
    /* This is a multiple-line comment. It can be of any length, and
    you can put whatever you want here. */

## continue

Restarts a `while`, `do-while`, `for`, or `label` statement.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    continue [label]

#### Parameter

    label

Identifier associated with the label of the statement.

#### Description

In contrast to the `break` statement, `continue` does not terminate the execution of the loop entirely: instead,

- In a `while` loop, it jumps back to the `condition`.

- In a `for` loop, it jumps to the `update` expression.

The `continue` statement can now include an optional label that allows the program to terminate execution of a labeled statement and continue to the specified labeled statement. This type of continue must be in a looping statement identified by the label used by `continue`.

#### Examples

Example 1. The following example shows a `while` loop that has a `continue` statement that executes when the value of `i` is 3. Thus, `n` takes on the values 1, 3, 7, and 12.

    i = 0
    n = 0
    while (i < 5) {
       i++
       if (i == 3)
          continue
       n += i
    }

Example 2. In the following example, a statement labeled `checkiandj` contains a statement labeled `checkj`. If `continue` is encountered, the program continues at the top of the `checkj` statement. Each time `continue` is encountered, `checkj` reiterates until its condition returns false. When false is returned, the remainder of the `checkiandj` statement is completed. `checkiandj` reiterates until its condition returns false. When false is returned, the program continues at the statement following checkiandj. If `continue` had a label of `checkiandj`, the program would continue at the top of the checkiandj statement.

    checkiandj :
    while (i<4) {
       document.write(i + "<BR>");
       i+=1;

       checkj :
       while (j>4) {
          document.write(j + "<BR>");
          j-=1;
          if ((j%2)==0)
             continue checkj;
          document.write(j + " is odd.<BR>");
       }
       document.write("i = " + i + "<br>");
       document.write("j = " + j + "<br>");
    }

#### See also

`break, label`

## do...while

Executes the specified statements until the test condition evaluates to false. Statements execute at least once.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.2, NES 3.0

#### Syntax

    do
       statements
    while (condition);

#### Parameters

    statements

Block of statements that is executed at least once and is re-executed each time the condition evaluates to true.

    condition

Evaluated after each pass through the loop. If `condition` evaluates to true, the statements in the preceding block are re-executed. When `condition` evaluates to false, control passes to the statement following `do while`.

#### Examples

In the following example, the `do` loop iterates at least once and reiterates until i is no longer less than 5.

    do {
       i+=1
       document.write(i);
    while (i<5);

## export

Allows a signed script to provide properties, functions, and objects to other signed or unsigned scripts.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.2, NES 3.0

#### Syntax

    export name1, name2, ..., nameN
    export *

#### Parameters

    nameN

List of properties, functions, and objects to be exported.

    *

Exports all properties, functions, and objects from the script.

#### Description

Typically, information in a signed script is available only to scripts signed by the same principals. By exporting properties, functions, or objects, a signed script makes this information available to any script (signed or unsigned). The receiving script uses the companion import statement to access the information.

#### See also

`import`

## for

Creates a loop that consists of three optional expressions, enclosed in parentheses and separated by semicolons, followed by a block of statements executed in the loop.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    for ([initial-expression]; [condition]; [increment-expression]) {
       statements
    }

#### Parameters

    initial-expression

Statement or variable declaration. Typically used to initialize a counter variable. This expression may optionally declare new variables with the `var` keyword. These variables are local to the function, not to the loop.

    condition

Evaluated on each pass through the loop. If this condition evaluates to true, the statements in `statements` are performed. This conditional test is optional. If omitted, the condition always evaluates to true.

    increment-expression

Generally used to update or increment the counter variable.

    statements

Block of statements that are executed as long as condition evaluates to true. This can be a single statement or multiple statements. Although not required, it is good practice to indent these statements from the beginning of the `for` statement.

#### Examples

The following `for` statement starts by declaring the variable `i` and initializing it to 0. It checks that `i` is less than nine, performs the two succeeding statements, and increments `i` by 1 after each pass through the loop.

    for (var i = 0; i < 9; i++) {
       n += i
       myfunc(n)
    }

## for...in

Iterates a specified variable over all the properties of an object. For each distinct property, JavaScript executes the specified statements.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    for (variable in object) {
       statements
    }

#### Parameters

    variable

Variable to iterate over every property, declared with the `var` keyword. This variable is local to the function, not to the loop.

    object

Object for which the properties are iterated.

    statements

Specifies the statements to execute for each property.

#### Examples

The following function takes as its argument an object and the object's name. It then iterates over all the object's properties and returns a string that lists the property names and their values.

    function show_props(obj, objName) {
       var result = ""
       for (var i in obj) {
          result += objName + "." + i + " = " + obj[i] + "\n"
       }
       return result
    }

## function

Declares a function with the specified parameters. Acceptable parameters include strings, numbers, and objects.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    function name([param] [, param] [..., param]) {
       statements
    }

You can also define functions using the `Function` constructor; see "Function" on page 169.

#### Parameters

    name

The function name.

    param

The name of an argument to be passed to the function. A function can have up to 255 arguments.

    statements

The statements which comprise the body of the function.

#### Description

To return a value, the function must have a `return` statement that specifies the value to return. A function created with the `function` statement is a `Function` object and has all the properties, methods, and behavior of `Function` objects. See "Function" on page 169 for detailed information on functions.

#### Examples

The following code declares a function that returns the total dollar amount of sales, when given the number of units sold of products a, b, and c.

    function calc_sales(units_a, units_b, units_c) {
       return units_a*79 + units_b*129 + units_c*699
    }

#### See also

"Function" on page 169

## if...else

Executes a set of statements if a specified condition is true. If the condition is false, another set of statements can be executed.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    if (condition) {
       statements1
    }
    [else {
       statements2
    }]

#### Parameters

    condition

Can be any JavaScript expression that evaluates to true or false. Parentheses are required around the condition. If condition evaluates to true, the statements in `statements1` are executed.

    statements1,
    statements2

Can be any JavaScript statements, including further nested `if` statements. Multiple statements must be enclosed in braces.

#### Description

You should not use simple assignments in a conditional statement. For example, do not use the following code:

    if(x = y)
    {
       /* do the right thing */
    }

If you need to use an assignment in a conditional statement, put additional parentheses around the assignment. For example, use `if( (x = y) )`.

#### Backward Compatibility

JavaScript 1.2 and earlier versions. You can use simple assignments in a conditional statement. An assignment operator in a conditional statement is converted to an equality operator. For example, `if(x = y)` is converted to `if(x == y)`. In Navigator, this expression also displays a dialog box with the message "Test for equality (==) mistyped as assignment (=)? Assuming equality test."

#### Examples

    if (cipher_char == from_char) {
       result = result + to_char
       x++}
    else
       result = result + clear_char

## import

Allows a script to import properties, functions, and objects from a signed script that has exported the information.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.2, NES 3.0

#### Syntax

    import objectName.name1, objectName.name2, ..., objectName.nameN
    import objectName.*

#### Parameters

    objectName

Name of the object that will receive the imported names.

    name1,
    name2,
    nameN

List of properties, functions, and objects to import from the export file.

    *

Imports all properties, functions, and objects from the export script.

#### Description

The `objectName` parameter is the name of the object that will receive the imported names. For example, if `f` and `p` have been exported, and if `obj` is an object from the importing script, the following code makes `f` and `p` accessible in the importing script as properties of `obj`.

    import obj.f, obj.p

Typically, information in a signed script is available only to scripts signed by the same principals. By exporting (using the `export` statement) properties, functions, or objects, a signed script makes this information available to any script (signed or unsigned). The receiving script uses the `import` statement to access the information. The script must load the export script into a window, frame, or layer before it can import and use any exported properties, functions, and objects.

#### See also

`export`

## label

Provides a statement with an identifier that lets you refer to it elsewhere in your program.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.2, NES 3.0

For example, you can use a label to identify a loop, and then use the `break` or `continue` statements to indicate whether a program should interrupt the loop or continue its execution.

#### Syntax

    label :
       statements

#### Parameter

    label

Any JavaScript identifier that is not a reserved word.

    statements

Block of statements. `break` can be used with any labeled statement, and continue can be used with looping labeled statements.

#### Examples

For an example of a label statement using `break`, see `break`. For an example of a label statement using `continue`, see `continue`.

#### See also

`break`, `continue`

## return

Specifies the value to be returned by a function.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    return expression

#### Parameters

    expression

The expression to return.

#### Examples

The following function returns the square of its argument, `x`, where `x` is a number.

    function square(x) {
       return x * x
    }

## switch

Allows a program to evaluate an expression and attempt to match the expression's value to a case label.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.2, NES 3.0

#### Syntax

    switch (expression){
       case label :
          statements;
          break;
       case label :
          statements;
          break;
       ...
       default : statements;
    }

#### Parameters

    expression

Value matched against label.

    label

Identifier used to match against expression.

    statements

Block of statements that is executed once if `expression` matches `label`.

#### Description

If a match is found, the program executes the associated statement. If multiple cases match the provided value, the first case that matches is selected, even if the cases are not equal to each other. The program first looks for a label matching the value of expression and then executes the associated statement. If no matching label is found, the program looks for the optional default statement, and if found, executes the associated statement. If no default statement is found, the program continues execution at the statement following the end of `switch`. The optional `break` statement associated with each case label ensures that the program breaks out of switch once the matched statement is executed and continues execution at the statement following switch. If `break` is omitted, the program continues execution at the next statement in the `switch` statement.

#### Examples

In the following example, if `expression` evaluates to "Bananas", the program matches the value with case "Bananas" and executes the associated statement. When `break` is encountered, the program breaks out of `switch` and executes the statement following `switch`. If `break` were omitted, the statement for case "Cherries" would also be executed.

    switch (i) {
       case "Oranges" :
          document.write("Oranges are $0.59 a pound.<BR>");
          break;
       case "Apples" :
          document.write("Apples are $0.32 a pound.<BR>");
          break;
       case "Bananas" :
          document.write("Bananas are $0.48 a pound.<BR>");
          break;
       case "Cherries" :
          document.write("Cherries are $3.00 a pound.<BR>");
          break;
       default :
          document.write("Sorry, we are out of " + i + ".<BR>");
    }
    document.write("Is there anything else you'd like?<BR>");

## var

Declares a variable, optionally initializing it to a value.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    var varname [= value] [..., varname [= value] ]

#### Parameters

    varname

Variable name. It can be any legal identifier.

    value

Initial value of the variable and can be any legal expression.

#### Description

The scope of a variable is the current function or, for variables declared outside a function, the current application. Using `var` outside a function is optional; you can declare a variable by simply assigning it a value. However, it is good style to use `var`, and it is necessary in functions in the following situations:

- If a global variable of the same name exists.
- If recursive or multiple functions use variables with the same name.

#### Examples

    var num_hits = 0, cust_no = 0

## while

Creates a loop that evaluates an expression, and if it is true, executes a block of statements. The loop then repeats, as long as the specified condition is true.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    while (condition) {
       statements
    }

#### Parameters

    condition

Evaluated before each pass through the loop. If this condition evaluates to true, the statements in the succeeding block are performed. When `condition` evaluates to false, execution continues with the statement following `statements`.

    statements

Block of statements that are executed as long as the condition evaluates to true. Although not required, it is good practice to indent these statements from the beginning of the statement.

#### Examples

The following `while` loop iterates as long as `n` is less than three.

    n = 0
    x = 0
    while(n < 3) {
       n ++
       x += n
    }

Each iteration, the loop increments `n` and adds it to `x`. Therefore, `x` and `n` take on the following values:

- After the first pass: n = 1 and x = 1

- After the second pass: n = 2 and x = 3

- After the third pass: n = 3 and x = 6

After completing the third pass, the condition `n < 3` is no longer true, so the loop terminates.

## with

Establishes the default object for a set of statements.

Implemented in | JavaScript 1.0, NES 2.0
ECMA version | ECMA-262

#### Syntax

    with (object){
       statements
    }

#### Parameters

    object

Specifies the default object to use for the statements. The parentheses around object are required.

    statements

Any block of statements.

#### Description

JavaScript looks up any unqualified names within the set of statements to determine if the names are properties of the default object. If an unqualified name matches a property, then the property is used in the statement; otherwise, a local or global variable is used.

#### Examples

The following `with` statement specifies that the `Math` object is the default object. The statements following the `with` statement refer to the `PI` property and the `cos` and `sin` methods, without specifying an object. JavaScript assumes the `Math` object for these references.

    var a, x, y
    var r=10
    with (Math) {
       a = PI * r * r
       x = r * cos(PI)
       y = r * sin(PI/2)
    }

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Last Updated: 05/28/99 12:01:10

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