[javascript] JavaScript Nested function

I got a piece of code for javascript which I just do not understand:

function dmy(d) {
    function pad2(n) {
        return (n < 10) ? '0' + n : n;
    }

    return pad2(d.getUTCDate()) + '/' +
       pad2(d.getUTCMonth() + 1) + '/' +
       d.getUTCFullYear();
}

function outerFunc(base) {
    var punc = "!";

    //inner function
    function returnString(ext) {
       return base + ext + punc;
    }

    return returnString;
}

How can a function be defined within another function? Can we call pad2() from outside of my() function?

Please put some light on it. Thanks

_x000D_
Will throw an error. Since bar is defined inside foo, bar will only be accessible inside foo.
To use bar you need to run it inside foo.

_x000D_

It's perfectly normal in Javascript (and many languages) to have functions inside functions.

Take the time to learn the language, don't use it on the basis that it's similar to what you already know. I'd suggest watching Douglas Crockford's series of YUI presentations on Javascript, with special focus on Act III: Function the Ultimate (link to video download, slides, and transcript)

function x() {}

is equivalent (or very similar) to

var x = function() {}

unless I'm mistaken.

So there is nothing funny going on.

When you declare a function within a function, the inner functions are only available in the scope in which they are declared, or in your case, the pad2 can only be called in the dmy scope.

All the variables existing in dmy are visible in pad2, but it doesn't happen the other way around :D

It is called closure.

Basically, the function defined within other function is accessible only within this function. But may be passed as a result and then this result may be called.

It is a very powerful feature. You can see more explanation here:

javascript_closures_for_dummies.html mirror on Archive.org

Function-instantiation is allowed inside and outside of functions. Inside those functions, just like variables, the nested functions are local and therefore cannot be obtained from the outside scope.

function foo() {
    function bar() {
        return 1;
    }
    return bar();
}

foo manipulates bar within itself. bar cannot be touched from the outer scope unless it is defined in the outer scope.

So this will not work:

function foo() {
    function bar() {
        return 1;
    }
}

bar(); // throws error: bar is not defined