Difference between JavaScript functions? [duplicate]

Question

I use only jQuery for writing JavaScript code. One thing that confuses me is these two approaches of writing functions,

First approach

vote = function (action,feedbackId,responseDiv)
{
    alert('hi');
    return feedbackId;
}

Second approach

function vote(action, feedbackId,responseDiv)
{
    alert('hi');
    return feedbackId;
}

What is the difference between the two and why should one use the first approach or the second approach?

Answer 1

The first is a function expression assigned to the vote variable, the second is a function declaration.

The main difference is that function statements are evaluated at parse time, they are available before its declaration at runtime.

See also:

• Named function expressions demystified (article)
• Explain JavaScript’s encapsulated anonymous function syntax