How to Properly Store Returned Values from a JavaScript Function

Struggling to store values returned by a JavaScript function? This guide covers how to effectively retrieve latitude and longitude values from a Geocoding function using async/await.
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How to Properly Store Returned Values from a JavaScript Function

When working with JavaScript, especially in a React application, it can be challenging to manage the flow of data, particularly when dealing with asynchronous operations. A common issue arises when developers attempt to return values from a function that performs an asynchronous task, such as fetching data from an API.

The Problem: Undefined Values

Consider the following scenario: you have created a Geocoding function that fetches latitude and longitude values based on an input address. However, while you can log these values within the function, attempting to use these returned values elsewhere in your code leads to errors, specifically a coordinates list being undefined.

Here's a simplified version of the original code causing trouble:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Why Is This Happening?

The main issue lies in how JavaScript handles asynchronous functions. The Geocoding function uses Axios to fetch data, which occurs asynchronously. As a result, the return statement does not provide the coordinates back to where the function was called due to the nature of promises.

The act of calling Geocoding() will not return the result immediately since the result will not be ready until the Axios call completes.

The Solution: Using Async/Await

To resolve this issue, we can refactor the Geocoding function to use async/await. This approach not only makes the code cleaner and easier to understand, but it also allows you to directly await the result of the asynchronous operation.

Refactored Code

Here’s how the refactored code looks:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Takeaways

Use Async/Await: This pattern makes handling asynchronous code much clearer compared to directly managing promises with .then().

Error Handling: Always implement try/catch blocks when using asynchronous functions to gracefully handle errors.

Consistency: If you change your main function to async, make sure all functions that call it also recognize this asynchronous behavior.

Remember, the right structure can immensely simplify your coding experience and mitigate common pitfalls when dealing with asynchronous JavaScript functions.

Take the time to refactor and test your functions to ensure you're managing your returned values correctly!