ArgumentsCallerCallee.qhelp

<!DOCTYPE qhelp PUBLIC
  "-//Semmle//qhelp//EN"
  "qhelp.dtd">
<qhelp>

<overview>
<p>
The <code>arguments.callee</code> property can be used to access the currently executing
function, while the non-standard <code>arguments.caller</code> property provides access to
its caller. Using these properties makes code hard to read, however, so they should be
avoided.
</p>
</overview>

<recommendation>
<p>
Instead of using <code>arguments.callee</code>, you can refer to the enclosing function by
its name (possibly giving it a name first if it is an anonymous function expression).
Uses of <code>arguments.caller</code> can often be eliminated by refactoring the program.
</p>
</recommendation>

<example>
<p>
In the following example, <code>arguments.callee</code> is used to recursively invoke the
enclosing function, which is anonymous.
</p>

<sample src="examples/ArgumentsCallerCallee.js" />

<p>
To avoid this use, the function can be given a name and referred to using that name:
</p>

<sample src="examples/ArgumentsCallerCalleeGood.js" />
</example>

<references>
<li>Mozilla Developer Network: <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Functions_and_function_scope/arguments">arguments</a>.</li>
</references>
</qhelp>