Proper use of const for defining functions

Are there any limits to what types of values can be set using const in JavaScript, and in particular, functions? Is this valid? Granted it does work, but is it considered bad practice for any reason?

const doSomething = () => {
   ...
}

Should all functions be defined this way in ES6? It does not seem like this has caught on, if so.

There's no problem with what you've done, but you must remember the difference between function declarations and function expressions.

A function declaration, that is:

function doSomething () {}

Is hoisted entirely to the top of the scope (and like let and const they are block scoped as well).

This means that the following will work:

doSomething() // works!
function doSomething() {}

A function expression, that is:

[const | let | var] = function () {} (or () =>

Is the creation of an anonymous function (function () {}) and the creation of a variable, and then the assignment of that anonymous function to that variable.

So the usual rules around variable hoisting within a scope -- block-scoped variables (let and const) do not hoist as undefined to the top of their block scope.

This means:

if (true) {
    doSomething() // will fail
    const doSomething = function () {}
}

Will fail since doSomething is not defined. (It will throw a ReferenceError)

If you switch to using var you get your hoisting of the variable, but it will be initialized to undefined so that block of code above will still not work. (This will throw a TypeError since doSomething is not a function at the time you call it)

As far as standard practices go, you should always use the proper tool for the job.

Axel Rauschmayer has a great post on scope and hoisting including es6 semantics: Variables and Scoping in ES6

Although using const to define functions seems like a hack, it comes with some great advantages that make it superior (in my opinion)

1. It makes the function immutable, so you don't have to worry about that function being changed by some other piece of code.

2. You can use fat arrow syntax, which is shorter & cleaner.

3. Using arrow functions takes care of this binding for you.

example with function

// define a function
function add(x, y) { return x + y; }

// use it
console.log(add(1, 2)); // 3

// oops, someone mutated your function
add = function (x, y) { return x - y; };

// now this is not what you expected
console.log(add(1, 2)); // -1

same example with const

// define a function (wow! that is 8 chars shorter)
const add = (x, y) => x + y;

// use it
console.log(add(1, 2)); // 3

// someone tries to mutate the function
add = (x, y) => x - y; // Uncaught TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.
// the intruder fails and your function remains unchanged

It has been three years since this question was asked, but I am just now coming across it. Since this answer is so far down the stack, please allow me to repeat it:

Q: I am interested if there are any limits to what types of values can be set using const in JavaScript—in particular functions. Is this valid? Granted it does work, but is it considered bad practice for any reason?

I was motivated to do some research after observing one prolific JavaScript coder who always uses const statement for functions, even when there is no apparent reason/benefit.

In answer to "is it considered bad practice for any reason?" let me say, IMO, yes it is, or at least, there are advantages to using function statement.

It seems to me that this is largely a matter of preference and style. There are some good arguments presented above, but none so clear as is done in this article:

Constant confusion: why I still use JavaScript function statements by medium.freecodecamp.org/Bill Sourour, JavaScript guru, consultant, and teacher.

I urge everyone to read that article, even if you have already made a decision.

Here's are the main points:

Function statements have two clear advantages over [const] function expressions:

Advantage #1: Clarity of intent

When scanning through thousands of lines of code a day, it’s useful to be able to figure out the programmer’s intent as quickly and easily as possible.

Advantage #2: Order of declaration == order of execution

Ideally, I want to declare my code more or less in the order that I expect it will get executed.

This is the showstopper for me: any value declared using the const keyword is inaccessible until execution reaches it.

What I’ve just described above forces us to write code that looks upside down. We have to start with the lowest level function and work our way up.

My brain doesn’t work that way. I want the context before the details.

Most code is written by humans. So it makes sense that most people’s order of understanding roughly follows most code’s order of execution.