Achernar - 5:16 pm on Mar 24, 2008 (gmt 0)

>> Don't try to find a meaning to each part of the contruction.
> Why not?
It's a bit like arguing over why a word is spelled in a specific way.
You'll find as many reasons for "grouping ()" being logical, as reasons for it being wrong.

If you want a global variable, you don't declare it with "var y;". And if you need a local variable, just use "var z; z=document.getElement...()".

PS: Regarding the use of the anonymous function, do you think my concern about a memory leak has any merit?

I don't see why. There are several possibilities of memory leaks with other constructs or events, but not in this case.