Array that is not global?

[Panduola]

Here's my code (with JQuery):

// Updates out there
updates_live = [];
 
$(document).ready(function() {
 
	// Set up!
	setup_livepulse();
 
});
 
function setup_livepulse()
{	
	// Get updates currently displayed on page
	$.get('/forums/get_livepulse', function(data) {
 
		var updates = data.split("\n");
		for (var i in updates)
		{
			if (updates[i] != '')
			{
				var udata = updates[i].split('|');
				updates_live.push(udata[0]);
			}
		}
 
	});
}

Although I define "updates_live" as global, whenever I try and access it outside of function(data){}, it returns as "undefined." However, when I access it inside function(data){}, it returns the proper values. How can I make updates_live global and accessible by other functions?

[Raffles]

I can't see why that shouldn't work. You should try to identify where exactly you lose it, by putting console.log(updates_live); all over the place, e.g. right after the function is defined.

There are lots of ways of making a global variable:

var myGlobal = []; // only if not within a closure (i.e. a function(){} block)
myGlobal = []; // bad practice
window.myGlobal = [];
window['myGlobal'] = [];

So the way you're doing it is not advisable. As long as you're sure it's not in a closure, you should use the var statement.

When you say "access it outside function()data{}", where exactly are you doing this? Are you sure it isn't being defined (as something undefined) elsewhere? Or being deleted?

There is probably some other code interfering.

[Panduola]

Hi there! Thanks. I have defined updates_live as "var updates_live = [];" at the top of my code now.

If I put two console.log()s here:

function setup_livepulse()
{		
	// Get updates currently displayed on page
	$.get('/forums/get_livepulse', function(data) {
 
		var updates = data.split("\n");
		for (var i in updates)
		{
			if (updates[i] != '')
			{
				var udata = updates[i].split('|');
				updates_live.push(udata[0]);
			}
		}
 
		console.log(updates_live);
 
	});
 
	console.log(updates_live);
}

The first console.log outputs updates_live correctly. The second console.log returns "undefined." Any ideas?

[Raffles]

The second one should return an empty array, because it's outside the $.get closure. I don't know why it would give you undefined.

The only thing I can think is that there must be some other code interfering. Can you show the rest of it?

[Panduola]

I apologize -- you're correct. In the console it returns an empty array... not undefined. How can I push the data in the $.get closure to the updates_live global variable? Here's the complete code:

// Updates out there
var updates_live = [];
 
$(document).ready(function() {
 
	// Set up!
	setup_livepulse();
 
});
 
function setup_livepulse()
{		
	// Get updates currently displayed on page
	$.get('/forums/get_livepulse', function(data) {
 
		var updates = data.split("\n");
		for (var i in updates)
		{
			if (updates[i] != '')
			{
				var udata = updates[i].split('|');
				updates_live.push(udata[0]);
			}
		}
 
		console.log(updates_live);
 
	});
 
	console.log(updates_live);
}

I've checked line-for-line the other Javascript files included on this page and there is no other code interfering (or variable names).

Thank you for all of your help! You rock!

[Panduola]

Anybody have any ideas? Any help would be appreciated!

[Raffles]

Are you sure this bit is actually working:

if (updates[i] != '')  {
  var udata = updates[i].split('|');
  updates_live.push(udata[0]);
}

Stick a console.log in there and see what udata looks like, and if updates_live is an array.

[Panduola]

Just put some more console.logs in. Yup, udata is what it should be. And updates_live is an empty array. It becomes populated through that loop. Then it's inaccessible outside of the $.get() construct.

Any ideas?