JavaScript return a JSON with a function name

Issue

I'm learning AngularJS, and someone wrote this code:

.factory('cribs',function(){
    var data = [{
        name: "jack",
        last: 'doe'
    },{
        name: 'hazel',
        last: 'man'
    }
    ];

    function getcrib(){
        return data;
    }
    return{
        getcrib: getcrib // what the heck does this mean?
    }
})

I'm baffled with the return line... he returned an object of getcrib with a function that returns the data? Does the getcrib at the beginning need to be the same exact case?

Solution

All the four codes below does the same thing. Hope you have a better understanding on function declarations. :)

Code 1:

.factory('cribs',function(){
    var data = 3.142;
    function getcrib(){
        return data;
    }
    return{
        getcrib: getcrib 
    }
})
//console.log(cribs.getcrib()) outputs 3.142

Explanation:

1. An object is returned.
2. This object has a property of getcrib, which reference the function whose name is also getcrib.

Code 2:

.factory('cribs', function() {
  var data = 3.142;
  return {
    getcrib: function() {
      return data;
    }
  }
})
//console.log(cribs.getcrib()) outputs 3.142

Explanation:

1. An object is returned.
2. This object has a property of getcrib, which reference an anonymous function. (anonymous is a function without a name)

Code 3:

.factory('cribs',function(){
    var data = 3.142;
    function GET_PI_VALUE(){
        return data;
    }
    return{
        getcrib: GET_PI_VALUE
    }
})
//console.log(cribs.getcrib()) outputs 3.142

Explanation:

1. An object is returned.
2. This object has a property of getcrib, which reference a function whose name is called GET_PI_VALUE. This is the same case as code 1

Code 4:

.factory('cribs', function() {
  var data = 3.142;
  return {
    getcrib: function GET_PI_VALUE() {
      return data;
    }
  }
})
//console.log(cribs.getcrib()) outputs 3.142

Explanation:

1. An object is returned.
2. This object has a property of getcrib, which reference a function whose name is called GET_PI_VALUE. This is the same case as code 3.

Code 5

.factory('cribs', function() {
  var data = 3.142;
  return {
    getcrib: function GET_PI_VALUE() {
      return data;
    }
  }
})
//console.log(cribs.GET_PI_VALUE()) gives an error, complaining GET_PI_VALUE is not a function.

Explanation:

1. An object is returned.
2. This object has a property of getcrib
3. GET_PI_VALUE is totally shadowed, hence error. The function of GET_PI_VALUE itself was NOT returned, only the reference(via getcribs) is returned.

Answered By - CozyAzure