JavaScript Internals (521 Qs)•Part 3: DOM, Event Flow, Timers & Browser APIs (104 - 173)
What are the steps involved in return false usage
The return false statement in event handlers performs the below steps,
- First it stops the browser's default action or behaviour.
- It prevents the event from propagating the DOM
- Stops callback execution and returns immediately when called.
Practical Code Example
javascript
// In traditional inline DOM event handlers:
// <a href="https://example.com" onclick="return handleClick();">Link</a>
function handleClick(event) {
// 'return false' performs two actions:
// 1. event.preventDefault() (stops link navigation / form submit)
// 2. event.stopPropagation() (stops bubbling up the DOM tree)
return false;
}