Syntax error: Illegal return statement in JavaScript

Question

I am getting a really weird JavaScript error when I run this code:

<script type = 'text/javascript'> var ask = confirm('".$message."'); if (ask == false) {     return false;      }  else {     return true; } </script> 

In the JavaScript console it says:

Syntax Error: Illegal return statement

It occurs at return true; and return false;

(I am echoing this javascript from a php function; the $message variable is one of the php parameters)

What is wrong with my code?

Answer 1

return only makes sense inside a function. There is no function in your code.

Also, your code is worthy if the Department of Redundancy Department. Assuming you move it to a proper function, this would be better:

return confirm(".json_encode($message)."); 

EDIT much much later: Changed code to use json_encode to ensure the message contents don't break just because of an apostrophe in the message.

Answer 2

If you want to return some value then wrap your statement in function

function my_function(){    return my_thing;  } 

Problem is with the statement on the 1st line if you are trying to use PHP

var ask = confirm ('".$message."');  

IF you are trying to use PHP you should use

 var ask = confirm (<?php echo "'".$message."'" ?>); //now message with be the javascript string!!