What's the meaning of “()” in a function call?

Question

Now, I usually call a function (that requires no arguments) with () like this:

myFunction(); //there\'s empty parens

Except in

Answer 1

First of all, "()" is not part of the function name. It is syntax used to make function calls.

First, you bind a function to an identifier name by either using a function declaration:

function x() {
    return "blah";
}

... or by using a function expression:

var x = function() {
    return "blah";
};

Now, whenever you want to run this function, you use the parens:

x();

The setTimeout function accepts both and identifier to a function, or a string as the first argument...

setTimeout(x, 1000);
setTimeout("x()", 1000);

If you supply an identifier, then it will get called as a function. If you supply an string, than it will be evaluated (executed).

The first method (supplying an identifier) is preferred ...