[javascript] How to Set OnClick attribute with value containing function in ie8?

My goal is to change the onclick attribute of a link. I can do it successfully, but the resulting link doesn't work in ie8. It does work in ff3.

For example, this works in Firefox 3, but not IE8. Why?

<p><a id="bar" href="#" onclick="temp()">click me</a></p>

<script>
    doIt = function() {
        alert('hello world!');
    }
    foo = document.getElementById("bar");
    foo.setAttribute("onclick","javascript:doIt();");
</script>

You also can use:

element.addEventListener("click", function(){
    // call execute function here...
}, false);

You could also set onclick to call your function like this:

foo.onclick = function() { callYourJSFunction(arg1, arg2); };

This way, you can pass arguments too. .....

your best bet is to use a javascript framework like jquery or prototype, but, failing that, you should use:

if (foo.addEventListener) 
    foo.addEventListener('click',doit,false); //everything else    
else if (foo.attachEvent)
    foo.attachEvent('onclick',doit);  //IE only

edit:

also, your function is a little off. it should be

var doit = function(){
    alert('hello world!');
}