Running functions using string name from array

Question

I have an array that has a bunch of function names. I am not storing the function in an object.

for (i = 0; i < view_functions.length; i++) {
    view_functions[i]();
}

This doesn't work, any ideas?

Thanks.

Answer 1

The code you posted works, so perhaps the code that defines the functions isn't quite right. Here is a fully working example.

function yep() {
     alert('Yep');
}

function again() {
    alert('Again');
}

var view_functions = [
    yep,
    again
];

for (var i = 0; i < view_functions.length; i++) {
    view_functions[i]();
}

If you wanted to get a bit of design help in your code, you could introduce a factory. This has the added benefit of making unknown function names explicit.

function yep() {
     alert('Yep');
}

function again() {
    alert('Again');
}

function functionFactory(name) {
    switch (name) {
        case 'yep':
            return yep;
        case 'again':
            return again;
        default:
            throw `${name} not a known function in functionFactory`;
    }
}

var view_functions = [
    'yep',
    'again'
];


for (var i = 0; i < view_functions.length; i++) {
    var func = functionFactory(view_functions[i]);
    func();
}

If you only have string names, I recommend not using string names... but you could go full-evil and use eval...

function yep() {
     alert('Yep');
}

function again() {
    alert('Again');
}

var view_functions = [
    'yep',
    'again'
];

for (var i = 0; i < view_functions.length; i++) {
    var n = view_functions[i] + '()';
    eval(n);
}

But why not store the actual functions in the array instead...