"use strict" in the middle of the program

Question

Why the second function didn't use the "use strict"; mode (it shows me window object in console):

function test() {
    console.log(this);
}
test();   // will be global or window, it's okay

"use strict";

function test2() {
    console.log(this);
}
test2(); // will be global, BUT WHY? It must be undefined, because I have used strict mode!

But if I define strict mode in the body of the second function, all will be as I expect.

function test() {
    console.log(this);
}
test();   // will be global or window

function test2() {
"use strict";
    console.log(this);
}
test2();

My question is simple — why it happens?

In order to have an effect, `"use strict";` has to be at the very top of a code block or function. If any code is before it, it does nothing. — Pointy, Mar 20 '18 at 14:51

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 20 '18 at 14:54

See the MDN documentation:

To invoke strict mode for an entire script, put the exact statement "use strict"; (or 'use strict';) before any other statements.

and

Likewise, to invoke strict mode for a function, put the exact statement "use strict"; (or 'use strict';) in the function's body before any other statements.

In your first code block, you have "use strict"; but it isn't the first statement in the script, so it has no effect.

In your second, it is the first statement in a function, so it does.

would something like `function myFunc(){} 'use strict'; function myOtherFunc() { // my first expressions }` work? — messerbill, Mar 20 '18 at 14:57

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Because "use strict" only has effects if it's the first statement of the current script/function. From the MDN docs :

To invoke strict mode for an entire script, put the exact statement "use strict"; (or 'use strict';) before any other statements

Likewise, to invoke strict mode for a function, put the exact statement "use strict"; (or 'use strict';) in the function's body before any other statements.

"use strict" in the middle of the program

2 Answers2