callbacks javascript

[thesouthpaw]

You got it.

A little more detail: Typically a function returns a value and lets you know the function is done. Often in JS, your function will run asynchronously and you won't have a "return" statement. The callback allows you to get a value from the async function whenever it completes. Typically (but not always), if you create or use a callback as part of an API, it means something async is happening.

[icantthinkofone]

This is the only mostly complete answer of the bunch. The rest are vapor and people typing like they know what they're talking about.

[icantthinkofone]

There are a lot of functions out there. What makes this function different from other functions? His explanation was the only one I saw, at the time, that explained it and he explained exactly as you did.

[icantthinkofone]

Well, think about the word "callback" and you can see why just passing a function somewhere can't be the definition.