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What's the difference between let and var in JavaScript? Pending Review
Asked on Apr 25, 2026
Answer
In JavaScript, "let" and "var" are both used to declare variables, but they differ in terms of scope and hoisting behavior.
// Example of var
function varExample() {
if (true) {
var x = 10;
}
console.log(x); // 10, because var is function-scoped
}
varExample();
// Example of let
function letExample() {
if (true) {
let y = 20;
}
console.log(y); // ReferenceError, because let is block-scoped
}
letExample();Additional Comment:
✅ Answered with JavaScript best practices.- "var" is function-scoped, meaning it is accessible throughout the function in which it is declared.
- "let" is block-scoped, meaning it is only accessible within the block (e.g., inside a loop or conditional) where it is declared.
- "var" declarations are hoisted to the top of their function scope, while "let" declarations are hoisted to the top of their block scope but are not initialized, leading to a "Temporal Dead Zone" until the declaration is encountered.
- It is generally recommended to use "let" for block-scoped variables to avoid potential issues with hoisting and scope.
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