javascript scoping issue - node fs

Question

I can access the global variable within the function, but when I push it does not set to the global variable. What am I doing wrong?

const fs = require('fs')
const moviesDir = `./movies`

var moviesList = []

function getMoviesList() {
  fs.readdir(moviesDir, (error, movies) => {
    movies.forEach(movie => {
      console.log(movie)  // <--works
      moviesList.push(movie)
    })
console.log(moviesList) // <--works
  })
}
getMoviesList()

console.log(moviesList) // <-- does-not work

apparently the error is in fs or moviesDir. The scope of moviesList is correct. — danilo, Feb 25 '18 at 17:30
@DBQ No, the error is just in the timing. (Yes, the scope is correct) — Bergi, Feb 25 '18 at 17:32

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 25 '18 at 17:52

1

readdir is asynchronous, meaning that the final console log may be happening before your callback is executed. You can prevent this by using fs.readdirSync instead

answered Feb 25 '18 at 17:52

Billy Reilly

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javascript scoping issue - node fs

1 Answers1