JQuery return variable from JSON request - json

Question

I have the following code to pull some data from an external source:
$(document).ready(function(){
$.getJSON('mydata.json',function(data) {
var ned = data.names.ned;
return(ned);
});
});
And In my JSON I have:
{
"names": {
"ned": "Eddard Stark",
"jon": "Jon Snow",
"tyrion": "Tyrion Lannister"
}
}
I want to know how can I use the variable 'ned' on another function. Also, I want further to set other variables like 'jon' and 'tyrion' to be able to use later, but I can't make them pass to another function.
The JSON callback must be done on page load to be able to proper use some of the app functions, that's why it's on document ready.

Answer 1

You can do that easily using jquery $.Deferred:
function getNed()
{
return $.getJSON('mydata.json').pipe(function(data) {
var ned = data.names.ned;
return ned;
});
}
getNed().done(function(ned) {
alert(ned);
});

Answer 2

A quick/easy way to do this would be to declare a global variable, then fill it with your data from the json call when you get it.
<script>
var myJsonData; //Make this a very unique name, as you may conflict with other variables in plugins and such.
$(document).ready(function(){
$.getJSON('mydata.json',function(data) {
myJsonData = data;
var ned = data.names.ned;
return(ned);
});
});
</script>
However, note that your getJSON call could take a long time, and you have to be diligent in checking that the myJsonData variable is not undefined before using it. Alternatively, you could call some sort of initialization function from the json callback.