Two ways to write functions in JavaScript — and why the distinction actually matters. Let me take you back to my first week of writing JavaScript. I had just learned how to write a function. Cool. Then I saw someone write the same function but in a completely different way — assigning it to a variable like a value. I stared at it for a solid minute thinking, "Wait, you can do that?" Turns out, JavaScript gives you more than one way to create functions, and understanding the difference between them isn't just trivia — it affects how your code behaves in ways that can genuinely trip you up if you don't know what's going on. Let's break it all down. What Are Functions (And Why Do We Need Them)? Before we compare anything, let's get clear on what a function actually is. A function is a reusable block of code that performs a specific task. Instead of writing the same logic over and over, you write it once inside a function and then call that function whenever you need it. Think of it like a recipe.…