How to return a value from a function that calls $.getJSON?

Question

function lookupRemote(searchTerm)
{
   var defaultReturnValue = 1010;
   var returnValue = defaultReturnValue;

   $.getJSON(remote, function(data)
   {
      if (da         


        

Answer 1

This happens because that callback function (function(data) {...}) runs later when the response comes back...because it's an asynchronous function. Instead use the value once you have it set, like this:

function lookupRemote(searchTerm)
{
    var defaultReturnValue = 1010;
    var returnValue = defaultReturnValue;
    $.getJSON(remote, function(data) {           
        if (data != null) {
              $.each(data.items, function(i, item) {                 
                    returnValue = item.libraryOfCongressNumber;
              });
        }
        OtherFunctionThatUsesTheValue(returnValue);
     });
}

This is the way all asynchronous behavior should be, kick off whatever needs the value once you have it...which is when the server responds with data.