Does back/forward in the browser change javascript variables?

Question

<script type="text/javascript>
var x = 0; //this occurs in the beginning of the page.

$("#button").onclick{
x = 1;
}

</script>

Let's say the variable "x" changes to 1. Then the user clicks a link. When the user clicks "back", will x be 0 or 1?

Answer 1

As detailed in another question, the real answer to this question is it depends on the browser.

In Firefox and Opera, the below page will preserve the state of 1 if Set x is clicked, the link is clicked, and then the back button is pressed. However, in Chrome and IE6 the page will be reloaded and x will have the value of 0.

<script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.5.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<input type="button" id="button" value="Set x">
<input type="button" id="check-x" value="Check x">
<a href="http://www.stackoverflow.com">Click Me</a>
<script>
var x = 0;

$("#button").click(function(){
    x = 1;
});

$("#check-x").click(function(){
   alert(x); 
});
</script>