How do I pass arguments to my JavaScript function?

Question

I have this JavaScript function:

function prefixOneDropDown(){
 var source = $('#prefix-one');
 var selected = source.find('option[selected]');
 var options = $('option', source); 
 var DefinitionList = '<dl id="dd-prefix-one" class="dropdown f-left"><dt><a href="#">' + selected.text() + '<span class="value">' + selected.val() + '</span></a></dt><dd><ul></ul></dd></dl>';
 $(DefinitionList).insertAfter(source);
 options.each(function(){ $("#dd-prefix-one dd ul").append('<li><a href="#"><span class="number-plate">' + $(this).text() + '</span><span class="value">' + $(this).val() + '</span></a></li>'); });
 }

I was wondering if there is a way declaring var selected, options, DefinitionList outside the function...then call them in as arguments?

I've tried a number of different approaches but I'm missing something.

The function is called in my js like so : prefixOneDropDown();

Any help would be Greatly Appreciated, Thanks

• Nasir: The reason why I want the variables declared outside is that there are five of these functions...so the are declared only once

Answer 1

did you try this:

function prefixOneDropDown(source, options, dl){
 $(dl).insertAfter(source);
 options.each(function(){ $("#dd-prefix-one dd ul").append('<li><a href="#"><span class="number-plate">' + $(this).text() + '</span><span class="value">' + $(this).val() + '</span></a></li>'); });
}
var source = $('#prefix-one'),
 selected = source.find('option[selected]'),
 options = $('option', source),
 DefinitionList = '<dl id="dd-prefix-one" class="dropdown f-left"><dt><a href="#">' + selected.text() + '<span class="value">' + selected.val() + '</span></a></dt><dd><ul></ul></dd></dl>';
prefixOneDropDown(source, options, DefinitionList);

• pimvdb: I might be wrong, but select and option are not used in the function
• hellatan: ah, no, you're right @pimvdb. select is only referenced outside, and i have a typo with option - should be options, good catch =)
• hellatan: def np, nasir. glad i could help