I assume you mean this form: var f = function () {}; ? If so, I don't think that will circumvent the issue since only the variable declaration will be hoisted,

I assume you mean this form: var f = function () {}; ? If so, I don't think that will circumvent the issue since only the variable declaration will be hoisted, the function being assigned will probably not be. You'd end up with 'not a function' like error when invoking instead of undefined. EDIT: Actually, I'm not sure if your last sentence is talking about the problem in the article since the person your reply was to has deleted their post. If it isn't, then disregard.