HTML5 Canvas - Accessing variables across main timeline

[P Steven]

If I set a function or variable on the first frame of the main timeline I don't appear to be able to access them on later frames.

So for example if on frame 1 I set the following variable:

var rootRef = this;

And the following function

function test()
{
     alert ("test");
}

If I try to refer to the variable rootRef on say frame 50, it is undefined

And if I try to call the test function I get the following error:
Uncaught ReferenceError: test is not defined(…)

I would ideally like to include as much code as possible on frame 1 so any advice how to make variables and functions available across the timeline?

[Colin Holgate · Accepted solution]

I believe that:

this.varname = value;

would be seen across the current timeline, and:

window.varname = value;

would be seen everywhere.

[GoryGreg]

This might help...

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2106507

[Colin Holgate]

Although the last example of myVar = value should work globally, I've seen that lead to errors. By explicitly saying window.myVar = value the errors don't happen.

[GoryGreg]

Thanks Colin. I've had no problems with it so far but good to know to how solve it if I come across it.

[P Steven]

Thank you Colin and Gory.

How do I access a clip level variable within a function?

this.myVar = "Paul";
alert ("this.myVar = " + this.myVar);
function whatIsMyVariable()
{ 
  alert ("myVar = " + myVar); 
}
whatIsMyVariable();

Trying the above gives me an error saying myVar is undefined.

If I make it a global as follows it works but I prefer to minimise the use of global variables

myVar = "Paul";
alert ("myVar = " + myVar);
function whatIsMyVariable()
{
  alert ("myVar = " + myVar);
}
whatIsMyVariable();

[P Steven]

I have sussed it

this.myVar = "Paul";
alert ("this.myVar = " + this.myVar);
this.whatIsMyVariable = function()
{
  alert ("function this.myVar = " + this.myVar);
}
this.whatIsMyVariable();