Difference Between Var And Let Keyword

In this blog, you will learn about the differences between var and let keyword.

var keyword 

1. var keyword was introduced with JavaScript.
2. It has a function scope.
3. It is hoisted. 

function scope

 

Let us understand it with an example,

//function scope
function get(i){
    //block scope
  if(i>2){
    var a = i;
  }
  console.log(i);
}
//calling function
get(3)

//access variable outside function scope
//it will give me an error
console.log(i);

Output

 

3

 

Uncaught ReferenceError: i is not defined at window.onload

 

As you can see in the above example, I have declared a variable (var a = i) inside block but still I am able to access it outside the block (output = 3). If I try to access it outside function scope, it will give me an error (i is not defined). 

 

Hoisting 

 

When you declare a variable with var keyword, it will be automatically hoisted to the top of scope. 

//function scope
function get(i){
    //printing i variable
  //value is undefined
  console.log(a);

  //declare variable after console but this variable hoisted to the top at //run time
  var a = i;

  //again printing i variable
  //value is 3
  console.log(a);
}
//calling function
get(3)

Output

 

undefined

3

 

This happens behind the scene -

//function scope
function get(i){
        //a hoisted to the top
    var a;
    //if we don't give any value to variable, by default, value is undefined.
    //value is "undefined"
  console.log(a);

    //assigning value to a
  a = i;

  //value is 3
  console.log(a);
}
//calling function
get(3)

let keyword

1. let keyword was introduced in ES 6 (ES 2015).
2. It has block scope.
3. It is not hoisted.

Block scope

 

When you try to access let keyword outside block scope, it will give an error. let variable is available only inside the block scope.

//declare a variable with var keyword
var i = 4
    //block scope -start
  if(i>3)
  {
      //declare a variable with let keyword
      let j= 5;

      //declare a variable with var keyword
      var k = 8;
      //it will give me 5
      console.log("inside block scope (let)::"+ j);
  }
  //block scope -end

//it will give me 8.
//var variable are available outside block scope
console.log("ouside block scope (var)::"+ k);

//it will give me an error.
//let variable are not available outside block scope
console.log("ouside block scope (let)::"+ j);

Output

 

inside block scope (let)::5

ouside block scope (var)::8

Uncaught ReferenceError: j is not defined at window.onload

 

Hoisting 

 

let keyword is not hoisted.

//program doesn't know about i variable so it will give me an error.
console.log(i);
//declare and initilize let variable
let i = 25;

Output

 

Uncaught ReferenceError: i is not defined at window.onload

 

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