The JavaScript exception ""use strict" not allowed in function" occurs
when a "use strict" directive is used at the top of a function with
default parameters,
rest parameters, or
destructuring parameters.
Message
SyntaxError: Illegal 'use strict' directive in function with non-simple parameter list (V8-based)
SyntaxError: "use strict" not allowed in function with default parameter (Firefox)
SyntaxError: "use strict" not allowed in function with rest parameter (Firefox)
SyntaxError: "use strict" not allowed in function with destructuring parameter (Firefox)
SyntaxError: 'use strict' directive not allowed inside a function with a non-simple parameter list. (Safari)
Error type
What went wrong?
A "use strict" directive is written at the top of a function that has one
of the following parameters:
A "use strict" directive is not allowed at the top of such functions per
the ECMAScript specification.
Examples
Function statement
In this case, the function sum has default parameters a=1 and
b=2:
function sum(a = 1, b = 2) {
// SyntaxError: "use strict" not allowed in function with default parameter
"use strict";
return a + b;
}
If the function should be in strict mode, and the
entire script or enclosing function is also okay to be in strict mode, you can move the
"use strict" directive outside of the function:
"use strict";
function sum(a = 1, b = 2) {
return a + b;
}
Function expression
A function expression can use yet another workaround:
const sum = function sum([a, b]) {
// SyntaxError: "use strict" not allowed in function with destructuring parameter
"use strict";
return a + b;
};
This can be converted to the following expression:
const sum = (function () {
"use strict";
return function sum([a, b]) {
return a + b;
};
})();
Arrow function
If an arrow function needs to access the this variable, you can use the
arrow function as the enclosing function:
const callback = (...args) => {
// SyntaxError: "use strict" not allowed in function with rest parameter
"use strict";
return this.run(args);
};
This can be converted to the following expression:
const callback = (() => {
"use strict";
return (...args) => {
return this.run(args);
};
})();