There are two ways to do the same thing (pseudo code)

1. Define databaseHandle in the parent function, and use it as a global in this scope:

   function API() {
   
     function openDatabase() {
         return databaseHandle;
     }
     databaseHandle = openDatabase() 
   
     function getItem(i) {
         databaseHandle.get(i)
     }
   
     function addItem(name) {
         databaseHandle.add(name)
     }
   
   }
   

2. Define a function for getting this handle, and then get it when we need it:

   function API() {
   
     function openDatabase() {
         return databaseHandle;
     }
   
   
     function getItem(i) {
         databaseHandle = openDatabase()
         databaseHandle.get(i)
     }
   
     function addItem(name) {
         databaseHandle = openDatabase()
         databaseHandle.add(name)
     }
   
   }
   

The first option seems simpler, and I see it in many examples. But the second one seems to me more reliable and obvious in what it does (and a bit redundant).

What is the best practice here? If there’s another, better way, I’d like to hear about it. Thanks.