Javascript: Benefit of naming functions when assigning variables in an object?

Question

I noticed people in my company like to name functions when assigning it to variables. What are the benefits when it works exactly the same without naming them?

function TargetingForm() {
  'use strict';

  this.setPristine = function setPristine() {
    ...
  }

  //vs

  this.setPristine = function() {
    ...
  }
}

Answer 1

In order to ensure the name of the function appears in stack traces when debugging (as opposed to showing up as "anonymous function").

However, many modern javascript engines can derive a useful name for stack traces even when the function is declared anonymously in an assignment expression such as in your second example.

Answer 2

One thing that I can think of (if I am right!) is that you might need to call the function from itself (recursion).

For example you can do this:

function TargetingForm() {
  'use strict';

  this.setPristine = function setPristine() {
    // You can do this
    if (someConditionIsTrue) {
        setPristine();
    }
  }

  //vs

  this.setPristine = function() {
    // You can't do the same here!
  }
}