JavaScript: Global Objects Or Function Return Local? [closed]

Question

When writing sound code should i be using global objects or passing locals to functions and then returning the functions local object back to the original function?

function func1(obj) {
  ..modify obj
  return obj;
}

object = func1(object)
..do something with modified object

or

var object={..};

function func1() {
  ..modifiy object
}

function func2() {
    func1();
    ..do something with modified object
}

func2();

the first seems more readable, the second seems like better practice...

Answer 1

JavaScript best practice is to not use global variables unless you absolutely have to. That being said it really depends on your situation. Douglas Crockford has 2 really nice articles on this subject. The first explains why they are so bad, the second provides tips for when a global variable must be used,

1. http://yuiblog.com/blog/2006/06/01/global-domination/

2. http://yuiblog.com/blog/2008/04/16/global-domination-part-two/