Do you recommend using semicolons after every statement in JavaScript?

Answer 1

JavaScript automatically inserts semicolons whilst interpreting your code, so if you put the value of the return statement below the line, it won't be returned:

Your Code:

return
5

JavaScript Interpretation:

return;
5;

Thus, nothing is returned, because of JavaScript's auto semicolon insertion

Answer 2

I think this is similar to what the last podcast discussed. The "Be liberal in what you accept" means that extra work had to be put into the Javascript parser to fix cases where semicolons were left out. Now we have a boatload of pages out there floating around with bad syntax, that might break one day in the future when some browser decides to be a little more stringent on what it accepts. This type of rule should also apply to HTML and CSS. You can write broken HTML and CSS, but don't be surprise when you get weird and hard to debug behaviors when some browser doesn't properly interpret your incorrect code.

Answer 3

Yes, you should always use semicolons. Why? Because if you end up using a JavaScript compressor, all your code will be on one line, which will break your code.

Try http://www.jslint.com/; it will hurt your feelings, but show you many ways to write better JavaScript (and one of the ways is to always use semicolons).

Answer 4

The article Semicolons in JavaScript are optional makes some really good points about not using semi colons in Javascript. It deals with all the points have been brought up by the answers to this question.

Answer 5

This is the very best explanation of automatic semicolon insertion that I've found anywhere. It will clear away all your uncertainty and doubt.