JavaScript : Passing Parameters to Functions

// This clobbers (over-writes) its parameter, so the change
// is not reflected in the calling code.
function Clobber(param) 
{
    // clobber the parameter; this will not be seen in 
    // the calling code
    param = new Object();
    param.message = "This will not work";
}

// This modifies a property of the parameter, which
// can be seen in the calling code.
function Update(param)
{
    // Modify the property of the object; this will be seen
    // in the calling code.
    param.message = "I was changed";
}

// Create an object, and give it a property.
var obj = new Object();
obj.message = "This is the original";

// Call Clobber, and print obj.message. Note that it hasn't changed.
Clobber(obj);
window.alert(obj.message); // Still displays "This is the original".

// Call Update, and print obj.message. Note that is has changed.
Update(obj);
window.alert(obj.message); // Displays "I was changed".

When you pass a parameter to a function by value, you are making a separate copy of that parameter, a copy that exists only inside the function. Even though objects and arrays are passed by reference, if you directly overwrite them with a new value in the function, the new value is not reflected outside the function. Only changes to properties of objects, or elements of arrays, are visible outside the function.