Access global variable with same name as instance variable

Question

var myVar = 5;

var example = function() {
   var myVar = 10;

   // How can I access the global variable 10?
};

If there is a global variable with the same name as a local variable, how can I access the global one?

I am not using es6.

I am running it in jsdb, not a browser or node so I do not have access to objects 'Window' or 'global'

If there is no global object, I don't think it's possible. Best to use different variable names regardless, though. — CertainPerformance
– CertainPerformance, Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 2:11
How / where are you calling example()? Are you able to alter that code at all? — Phil
– Phil, Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 2:13

Phil · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-14 02:21:54Z

2

Assuming you can alter the code calling your example() function, you should be able to pass the current scope using Function.prototype.call() and access it using this. For example

'use strict'

var myVar = 5;

var example = function() {
   var myVar = 10;
   
   console.info('Local:', myVar)
   console.info('Outer:', this.myVar)
};

example.call({ myVar })

answered Jan 14, 2019 at 2:21

Phil

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4 Comments

user7255069 Over a year ago

Thanks... I guess I'm confused on why 'this' accesses the global scope as opposed to the local scope, while inside the example function. Can you explain that more for me?

Phil Over a year ago

It doesn't. this in the function access the function's context. The handy thing about Function.prototype.call means you can supply this context. For example, if you used .call({a: 1}) then this.a would be 1.

PHP Guru Over a year ago

This answer uses ES6 which would be fine but the OP says he is not using ES6. Just change { myVar } to { myVar: myVar }

Phil Over a year ago

@PHPGuru yet OP accepted the answer 🤔

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