Javascript: return multiple values from different functions

Question

I am trying to return multiple values from different functions. The starting point is a bidimensional array. An example of the code is:

var items = [[0,1],[1,2],[0,2]];
var a;
var b;
function first() {
a = items[Math.floor(Math.random() * items.length)];
return a;
}
function second() {
b = a[Math.floor(Math.random() * 2)];
return b;
}
function third (){
 first();
 second();
}
third();

If I write the code outside the functions, everything works fine. When I use functions and replace return with console.log, it works. If I use functions and return (as in the code reported above), it gives me undefined. I didn't find solutions. Why the code isn't working?

Thanks in advance

• AshBringer: What gives you undefined ? What do you want third() to do ?
• Farid Nouri Neshat: a and b are both defined after you execute third().
• Frederick M. Rogers: Your functions are returning a value as is correct but you are not doing anything with the values. What do you want to do with the values ?
• Sebastian Simon: If you want third to return something, then you need write a return statement in third.
• Redu: var third = _ => [first(),second()]; could be a start.

Answer 1

If you are declaring variable a and b outside function(like in your code) than there is no need to return the values. a and b will get defined. But if you are not declaring it outside, then store the return values in array variable.

var items = [[0,1],[1,2],[0,2]];
function first() {
a = items[Math.floor(Math.random() * items.length)];
return a;
}
function second() {
b = a[Math.floor(Math.random() * 2)];
return b;
}
function third (){
var a = first();
var b = second();
var arr = [];
arr.push(a);
arr.push(b);
return arr 
}
var t = third();
console.log(t[0], t[1]);

Answer 2

If you want third to return values, add a return in it.

function third (){
 var a = [];
 a.push(first())
 a.push(second())
 return a;
}

Answer 3

Maybe you want something like

function third (){
 return {a: first(), b: second()};
}

then

var t = third()
console.log(t.a, t.b)

or if you're running on ES6

var {a,b} = third()
console.log(a, b)

see Destructuring assignment for further details