Weird javascript syntax error

Question

In Firefox I received a weird syntax error, as this is not trivial, and an interesting syntax error I'd like to post here because I don't know it's happening.

Should file this as a bug report?

I was testing some scripts from here: here

It gave me a syntax error. SyntaxError: invalid label at line 5.

app.directive("alertable", function()
{
    return 
    {
        restrict : "A",
        link: function(scope, element, attrs) 
        {
            element.bind("click", function() 
            {
                alert(attrs.message);
            });
        }
    };
});

And this one, don't:

app.directive("alertable", function()
{
    return { // fix???
        restrict : "A",
        link: function(scope, element, attrs) 
        {
            element.bind("click", function() 
            {
                alert(attrs.message);
            });
        }
    };
});

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:30:59Z

11

This behavior is by design.

Semicolons in Javascript are optional. (ASI)
The parser inserts an implicit semicolon after the return line, and assumes that the { begins a code block. (like after an if or for)

The first line in that code block is not actually valid code, so you get that error.

This happens because return is a valid statement both with and without an operand.

Similarly, the code

return
4;

Is parsed as return; 4;.

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:30

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Jul 7, 2013 at 12:42

SLaks

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1 Comment

Ismael Over a year ago

Thanks for enlightment, I never heard before about "ASI". Good to know. Now i shall code better.

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