trying to run a simple beginner function in javascript, not returning correctly

Question

Here is the code I wrote;

var nameString = function(name) {
    console.log ("Hi, I am" + " " + name);

};
nameString("Bobby");

I am trying to get it to return one line stating; Hi, I am Bobby

instead, it returns three:

Hi, I am Bobby
Hi, I am
Hi, I am Bobby

I can't figure out why it is returning three times

Answer 1

Codecademy runs the function 3 times for some reasons, basically to detect stuff and hint you on the right code... Each time outputing something in the console since you put console.log . Use return instead and it will work.

var nameString = function(name) {
    return "Hi, I am" + " " + name;

};
console.log(nameString("Bobby"));

Don't use the console in codecademy functions, it needs to be on the call..

Answer 2

This on it self just renders the result just one time. Maybe it is nested in some code which ensures the three execution cycles...

Answer 3

Well, it's the first time I see a function like yours (I'm not saying it be bad, I'm not a JavaScript expert)...

Try it:

function getNameString(name) {
  return "Hi, I am" + " " + name;
};
var nameString = getNameString("Bobby");
console.log(nameString);

I think your problem is that you are trying to put the returned value of a function as value of a variable. But really, your function does not return any value. So maybe it's causing this rare behavior that you tell us... Other approach more similar as yours:

var nameString = function(name) {
  return "Hi, I am" + " " + name;
};
nameString("Bobby");
console.log(nameString);

Answer 4

Use it:

var nameString = function(name) {
     return "Hi, I am" + " " + name;
};

var theName = prompt("What is your name?");
var result = nameString(theName);
console.log(result);