Calling a javascript function recursively

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Using Named Function Expressions:

You can give a function expression a name that is actually private and is only visible from inside of the function ifself:

var factorial = function myself (n) {
    if (n <= 1) {
        return 1;
    }
    return n * myself(n-1);
}
typeof myself === 'undefined'

Here myself is visible only inside of the function itself.

You can use this private name to call the function recursively.

See 13. Function Definition of the ECMAScript 5 spec:

The Identifier in a FunctionExpression can be referenced from inside the FunctionExpression’s FunctionBody to allow the function to call itself recursively. However, unlike in a FunctionDeclaration, the Identifier in a FunctionExpression cannot be referenced from and does not affect the scope enclosing the FunctionExpression.

Please note that Internet Explorer up to version 8 doesn’t behave correctly as the name is actually visible in the enclosing variable environment, and it references a duplicate of the actual function (see patrick dw‘s comment below).

Using arguments.callee:

Alternatively you could use arguments.callee to refer to the current function:

var factorial = function (n) {
    if (n <= 1) {
        return 1;
    }
    return n * arguments.callee(n-1);
}

The 5th edition of ECMAScript forbids use of arguments.callee() in strict mode, however:

(From MDN): In normal code arguments.callee refers to the enclosing function. This use case is weak: simply name the enclosing function! Moreover, arguments.callee substantially hinders optimizations like inlining functions, because it must be made possible to provide a reference to the un-inlined function if arguments.callee is accessed. arguments.callee for strict mode functions is a non-deletable property which throws when set or retrieved.

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