Saving variables in Javascript

Hi!

To begin with explaining my problem, I'l just show you some code:

function moveLeft(id)
{
  e = document.getElementById(id).style.right;

  if (e.runOnce || 1)
  {
     e.variable1=1;
     e.variable2=1;
     e.variable3=1;
     e.runOnce=1;
  }

  (some code that requires the saved variables next time this function is run)
}

As you see, I saved some variables inside an element in this code. This is useful sometimes, but can I save variables in a similar way, in other things than HTML elements? Like, creating an object in Javascript or something. It's not allways wery handy to create a new HTML element each time I want a place to save variables.

PS: I am pretty new to HTML and Javascript, so please excuse me if I've got some words or names wrong here