Setting a variable in the closure scope

Question

I think I understand why variables exist outside of the function they were declared in, because you're returning another function:

myFunction = function() {
    var closure = 'closure scope'
    return function() {
        return closure;
    }
}
A = myFunction(); // myFunction returns a function, not a value
B = A(); // A is a function, which when run, returns:
console.log(B); // 'closure scope'

The way that it's written now, calling A() is like a getter.

Q: How can I write myFunction so that calling A(123) is a setter?

Answer 1

Try the following:

myFunction = function() {
    var closure = 'closure scope'

    // value is optional
    return function(value) {
        // if it will be omitted
        if(arguments.length == 0) {
            // the method is a getter
            return closure;
        } else {
            // otherwise a setter
            closure = value;
            // with fluid interface ;)
            return this;
        }
    }
}
A = myFunction(); // myFunction returns a function, not a value
A(123); // set value
B = A(); // A is a function, which when run, returns:
console.log(B); // '123'

Answer 2

You could do something like this if you want both getter and setter for example:

var func = function() {
  var closure = 'foo';

  return {
    get: function() { return closure; },
    set: function(value) { closure = value; }
  }
};

var A = func();

A.set('foobar');
console.log(A.get()); //=> "foobar"

Answer 3

Should be as simple as:

myFunction = function() {
    var closure = 'closure scope'
    return function(setTo) {
        if (typeof setTo !== "undefined") {
            closure = setTo;
            return this; //support call chaining, good idea hek2mgl
        } else {
            return closure;
        }
    }
}

Since the closure variable is within the closure of the function's scope, you should be able to assign to it the same way you can read from it.

See jsFiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/WF4VT/1/