Arrow Functions

A shorter syntax for writing functions.

Syntaxconst add = (a, b) => a + b;

Arrow functions are a compact way to write functions, introduced in ES6.

Short forms

  • One expression? The value is returned automatically (no braces, no return).
  • One parameter? The parentheses are optional.

Example

Try it yourself
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When to use it

  • Pass a concise arrow function as a callback to Array.map to transform a list of prices.
  • Write an event listener as an arrow function inside a class method so this refers to the class instance.
  • Define a one-liner utility function that converts Celsius to Fahrenheit without a return keyword.

More examples

Arrow function basics

Shows single-parameter and two-parameter arrow functions with implicit returns.

Example · js
const double = n => n * 2;
const add = (a, b) => a + b;
console.log(double(5)); // 10
console.log(add(3, 4)); // 7

Arrow in Array.map

Uses an arrow function as the map callback to apply an 8% tax to each price.

Example · js
const prices = [10, 25, 50];
const withTax = prices.map(p => p * 1.08);
console.log(withTax); // [10.8, 27, 54]

Arrow preserves this in class

The arrow function inside setInterval captures the enclosing this from start(), so this.seconds refers to the Timer instance.

Example · js
class Timer {
  constructor() { this.seconds = 0; }
  start() {
    setInterval(() => { this.seconds++; }, 1000);
  }
}
const t = new Timer();
t.start();

Discussion

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