Why pass an undefined javascript function parameter? - javascript

So I'm learning Javascript and I see this code:
var apple = {//... an object with some properties};
var fruit = apple.someMethod(function (b) {return b.a_property_of_apple});
Where someMethod and a_property_of_apple are valid methods and properties.
My question pertains to the argument, b, of the anonymous function which is not declared or defined anywhere else:
function (b) {return ...
What is going on here? What is b and why is it being used?
Apologies in advance for the basic nature of the question. If someone just wants to drop some focused terms on me to read up on that would be great short of an explanation.

The anonymous function is a callback function being passed to the apple.method() invocation.
apple.method() will invoke that anonymous function at some point during it's execution, ( or pass it to another function ). Whenever it's invoked it will be invoked with an argument that will be available inside the callback. You could call it b, or response, or whatever you want (logical names are best) and be able to use it within the anonymous function.
You should read about Callback functions over at MDN.
EDIT: I will explain the parts to you
var apple = {} This is the definition of an object
var fruit = apple.someMethod(function (b) {return b.a_property_of_apple}); is defining that fruit is equal to the return value of the invocation of apple.someMethod(...)
apple.someMethod(function (b) {return b.a_property_of_apple}); is the invocation of apple.someMethod with function (b) {return b.a_property_of_apple} as the only argument.
The b argument in the anonymous function function (b) {return b.a_property_of_apple} will be passed to it's invocation within the apple.someMethod.
Here is an example snippet.
// define apple
var apple = {
// define method
someMethod: function( callback ) {
var obj = {
a_property_of_apple: "Eat me!" // this will be returned
}
// return the invocation of callback with obj as argument
return callback(obj);
}
}
var fruit = apple.someMethod(function (b) {return b.a_property_of_apple});
console.log(fruit);
EDIT: Ok, going to use something slightly less abstract as an example.
// notice employees being passed to this function
// that is called an argument and is usable inside the function
var orginization = function( employees ) {
// this will take the empoyees argument and assign it to this.employees
// or set this.employees to an empty array if there is no employees argument
this.employees = employees || [ ];
// this is a method ( a method is a function on an object )
// this function takes 3 arguments
this.addEmployee = function( employee ) {
// we use the 3 arguments to push a new object with title, name, and salary
// properties provided by the function arguments
this.employees.push( employee );
}
// this method returns the value stored in this.employees
this.getEmployees = function() {
return this.employees;
}
}
// this is a variable an array of employees only containing 1 employee
// i will use it in the creation of my new orginization
var employess = [
{
title: "CEO",
name: "Enola",
salary: "$$$$$$$"
}
];
// i use the new to create learningInc from originization( employees )
// originization is a constructor function which creates an object
// with methods and properties found on the constructor
var learningInc = new orginization( employess );
// console.log learningInc.getEmployees() an you will see still only the CEO
// works here
console.log( "before newHire: ", learningInc.getEmployees() );
// lets make a newHire
var newHire = {
title: "Peon",
name: "Sadly McFrownFace",
salary: "$"
};
// add the newHire to the employess of learningInc wth out getEmployees() method
learningInc.addEmployee( newHire );
// log the new value of learningInc.getEmployees and you see we now have 2 employees
console.log( "after newHire: ", learningInc.getEmployees() );
Ok now notice this line var learningInc = new orginization( employess );
The employees variable I'm passing to this function as an argument is used in this function var orginization = function( employees ) { ... }.
Hope this help.

My question pertains to the parameter, b, of the anonymous function which is not declared or defined anywhere else: What is going on here?
What is b and why is it being used?
Why you say it is not declared? It is declared right there. Consider this simple JavaScript function:
function doSomething(a, b){
//do something here;
}
In this code, we are creating a function, naming it "doSomething", and declaring two parameters for it a and b. This is how we declare function parameters in JavaScript. Now your example:
function (b) {return ...
is exactly the same, except we didn't give this function a name, which means it is an anonymous function. That's the only difference, but its parameter b is declared right there like any standard function. So there is nothing special going here, it's a standard function parameter and used as such.

There are a couple concepts at work here
Function declarations vs function expressions; you can use function as an operator to define a function, and assign the function to an identifier and pass it around like any normal object
Callbacks; you can pass a function CB into another function A to be called by A (as defined by A)
Passing something without an identifier
Function Declaration
// declare function
function foo(argFoo) {
console.log('foo', argFoo);
}
// invoke function
foo('was declared'); // "foo" "was declared"
Function Expression
// express function
var bar = function (argBar) {
console.log('bar', argBar);
};
// invoke function
bar('was expressed'); // "bar" "was expressed"
Callbacks
function fizz(callback) {
console.log('first I fizz');
callback();
}
function buzz() {
console.log('then I buzz');
}
fizz(buzz);
// "first I fizz"
// "then I buzz"
Passing without an Identifier,
Basically, defining things in-place
// say we have some fn fizzbuzz
function fizzbuzz(foo) {
console.log(foo);
}
// we could pre-define what we want to pass to it
var i = 1;
fizzbuzz(i); // 1
// or we could pass directly
fizzbuzz(1); // 1
// with anything we like
fizzbuzz({some: 'object'}); // {some: "object"}
// even a function
fizzbuzz(function () {}); // function () {}

Maybe if I break down what is happening into more readable code, you can see what is happening.
someMethod is a method that take a function as an argument. This is more easily seen when broken down like below.
It's up to someMethod to determine what they do with that function. In this example, I am executing the function being passed into someMethod and passing it my this context.
var apple = {
name: 'Apple',
someMethod: function(func) {
return func(this);
}
};
function getName (b) {
return b.name;
};
const name = apple.someMethod(getName); // Apple
To your question: b is defined as the first argument to your anonymous function. This is more clearly expressed when the code is broken out above. But you could also express it like this:
const name = apple.someMethod(function(x) { return x.name; }); // Apple
or like this using ES6:
const name = apple.someMethod(x => x.name); // Apple

Related

What does binding a function to 'this' do in the constructor? [duplicate]

What is the use of bind() in JavaScript?
Bind creates a new function that will force the this inside the function to be the parameter passed to bind().
Here's an example that shows how to use bind to pass a member method around that has the correct this:
var myButton = {
content: 'OK',
click() {
console.log(this.content + ' clicked');
}
};
myButton.click();
var looseClick = myButton.click;
looseClick(); // not bound, 'this' is not myButton - it is the globalThis
var boundClick = myButton.click.bind(myButton);
boundClick(); // bound, 'this' is myButton
Which prints out:
OK clicked
undefined clicked
OK clicked
You can also add extra parameters after the 1st (this) parameter and bind will pass in those values to the original function. Any additional parameters you later pass to the bound function will be passed in after the bound parameters:
// Example showing binding some parameters
var sum = function(a, b) {
return a + b;
};
var add5 = sum.bind(null, 5);
console.log(add5(10));
Which prints out:
15
Check out JavaScript Function bind for more info and interactive examples.
Update: ECMAScript 2015 adds support for => functions. => functions are more compact and do not change the this pointer from their defining scope, so you may not need to use bind() as often. For example, if you wanted a function on Button from the first example to hook up the click callback to a DOM event, the following are all valid ways of doing that:
var myButton = {
... // As above
hookEvent(element) {
// Use bind() to ensure 'this' is the 'this' inside click()
element.addEventListener('click', this.click.bind(this));
}
};
Or:
var myButton = {
... // As above
hookEvent(element) {
// Use a new variable for 'this' since 'this' inside the function
// will not be the 'this' inside hookEvent()
var me = this;
element.addEventListener('click', function() { me.click() });
}
};
Or:
var myButton = {
... // As above
hookEvent(element) {
// => functions do not change 'this', so you can use it directly
element.addEventListener('click', () => this.click());
}
};
The simplest use of bind() is to make a function that, no matter
how it is called, is called with a particular this value.
x = 9;
var module = {
x: 81,
getX: function () {
return this.x;
}
};
module.getX(); // 81
var getX = module.getX;
getX(); // 9, because in this case, "this" refers to the global object
// create a new function with 'this' bound to module
var boundGetX = getX.bind(module);
boundGetX(); // 81
Please refer to this link on MDN Web Docs for more information:
Function.prototype.bind()
bind allows-
set the value of "this" to an specific object. This becomes very helpful as sometimes this is not what is intended.
reuse methods
curry a function
For example, you have a function to deduct monthly club fees
function getMonthlyFee(fee){
var remaining = this.total - fee;
this.total = remaining;
return this.name +' remaining balance:'+remaining;
}
Now you want to reuse this function for a different club member. Note that the monthly fee will vary from member to member.
Let's imagine Rachel has a balance of 500, and a monthly membership fee of 90.
var rachel = {name:'Rachel Green', total:500};
Now, create a function that can be used again and again to deduct the fee from her account every month
//bind
var getRachelFee = getMonthlyFee.bind(rachel, 90);
//deduct
getRachelFee();//Rachel Green remaining balance:410
getRachelFee();//Rachel Green remaining balance:320
Now, the same getMonthlyFee function could be used for another member with a different membership fee. For Example, Ross Geller has a 250 balance and a monthly fee of 25
var ross = {name:'Ross Geller', total:250};
//bind
var getRossFee = getMonthlyFee.bind(ross, 25);
//deduct
getRossFee(); //Ross Geller remaining balance:225
getRossFee(); //Ross Geller remaining balance:200
From the MDN docs on Function.prototype.bind() :
The bind() method creates a new function that, when called, has its
this keyword set to the provided value, with a given sequence of
arguments preceding any provided when the new function is called.
So, what does that mean?!
Well, let's take a function that looks like this :
var logProp = function(prop) {
console.log(this[prop]);
};
Now, let's take an object that looks like this :
var Obj = {
x : 5,
y : 10
};
We can bind our function to our object like this :
Obj.log = logProp.bind(Obj);
Now, we can run Obj.log anywhere in our code :
Obj.log('x'); // Output : 5
Obj.log('y'); // Output : 10
This works, because we bound the value of this to our object Obj.
Where it really gets interesting, is when you not only bind a value for this, but also for its argument prop :
Obj.logX = logProp.bind(Obj, 'x');
Obj.logY = logProp.bind(Obj, 'y');
We can now do this :
Obj.logX(); // Output : 5
Obj.logY(); // Output : 10
Unlike with Obj.log, we do not have to pass x or y, because we passed those values when we did our binding.
Variables has local and global scopes. Let's suppose that we have two variables with the same name. One is globally defined and the other is defined inside a function closure and we want to get the variable value which is inside the function closure. In that case we use this bind() method. Please see the simple example below:
var x = 9; // this refers to global "window" object here in the browser
var person = {
x: 81,
getX: function() {
return this.x;
}
};
var y = person.getX; // It will return 9, because it will call global value of x(var x=9).
var x2 = y.bind(person); // It will return 81, because it will call local value of x, which is defined in the object called person(x=81).
document.getElementById("demo1").innerHTML = y();
document.getElementById("demo2").innerHTML = x2();
<p id="demo1">0</p>
<p id="demo2">0</p>
Summary:
The bind() method takes an object as an first argument and creates a new function. When the function is invoked the value of this in the function body will be the object which was passed in as an argument in the bind() function.
How does this work in JS anyway
The value of this in javascript is dependent always depends on what Object the function is called. The value of this always refers to the object left of the dot from where is the function is called. In case of the global scope this is window (or global in nodeJS). Only call, apply and bind can alter the this binding differently. Here is an example to show how the this keyword works:
let obj = {
prop1: 1,
func: function () { console.log(this); }
}
obj.func(); // obj left of the dot so this refers to obj
const customFunc = obj.func; // we store the function in the customFunc obj
customFunc(); // now the object left of the dot is window,
// customFunc() is shorthand for window.customFunc()
// Therefore window will be logged
How is bind used?
Bind can help in overcoming difficulties with the this keyword by having a fixed object where this will refer to. For example:
var name = 'globalName';
const obj = {
name: 'myName',
sayName: function () { console.log(this.name);}
}
const say = obj.sayName; // we are merely storing the function the value of this isn't magically transferred
say(); // now because this function is executed in global scope this will refer to the global var
const boundSay = obj.sayName.bind(obj); // now the value of this is bound to the obj object
boundSay(); // Now this will refer to the name in the obj object: 'myName'
Once the function is bound to a particular this value we can pass it around and even put it on properties on other objects. The value of this will remain the same.
The bind() method creates a new function instance whose this value is bound to the value that was passed into bind().
For example:
window.color = "red";
var o = { color: "blue" };
function sayColor(){
alert(this.color);
}
var objectSayColor = sayColor.bind(o);
objectSayColor(); //blue
Here, a new function called objectSayColor() is created from sayColor() by calling bind() and passing in the object o. The objectSayColor() function has a this value equivalent to o, so calling the function, even as a global call, results in the string “blue” being displayed.
Reference : Nicholas C. Zakas - PROFESSIONAL JAVASCRIPT® FOR WEB DEVELOPERS
I will explain bind theoretically as well as practically
bind in javascript is a method -- Function.prototype.bind . bind is a method. It is called on function prototype. This method creates a function whose body is similar to the function on which it is called but the 'this' refers to the first parameter passed to the bind method. Its syntax is
var bindedFunc = Func.bind(thisObj,optionsArg1,optionalArg2,optionalArg3,...);
Example:--
var checkRange = function(value){
if(typeof value !== "number"){
return false;
}
else {
return value >= this.minimum && value <= this.maximum;
}
}
var range = {minimum:10,maximum:20};
var boundedFunc = checkRange.bind(range); //bounded Function. this refers to range
var result = boundedFunc(15); //passing value
console.log(result) // will give true;
Creating a new Function by Binding Arguments to Values
The bind method creates a new function from another function with one or more arguments bound to specific values, including the implicit this argument.
Partial Application
This is an example of partial application. Normally we supply a function with all of its arguments which yields a value. This is known as function application. We are applying the function to its arguments.
A Higher Order Function (HOF)
Partial application is an example of a higher order function (HOF) because it yields a new function with a fewer number of argument.
Binding Multiple Arguments
You can use bind to transform functions with multiple arguments into new functions.
function multiply(x, y) {
return x * y;
}
let multiplyBy10 = multiply.bind(null, 10);
console.log(multiplyBy10(5));
Converting from Instance Method to Static Function
In the most common use case, when called with one argument the bind method will create a new function that has the this value bound to a specific value. In effect this transforms an instance method to a static method.
function Multiplier(factor) {
this.factor = factor;
}
Multiplier.prototype.multiply = function(x) {
return this.factor * x;
}
function ApplyFunction(func, value) {
return func(value);
}
var mul = new Multiplier(5);
// Produces garbage (NaN) because multiplying "undefined" by 10
console.log(ApplyFunction(mul.multiply, 10));
// Produces expected result: 50
console.log(ApplyFunction(mul.multiply.bind(mul), 10));
Implementing a Stateful CallBack
The following example shows how using binding of this can enable an object method to act as a callback that can easily update the state of an object.
function ButtonPressedLogger()
{
this.count = 0;
this.onPressed = function() {
this.count++;
console.log("pressed a button " + this.count + " times");
}
for (let d of document.getElementsByTagName("button"))
d.onclick = this.onPressed.bind(this);
}
new ButtonPressedLogger();
<button>press me</button>
<button>no press me</button>
As mentioned, Function.bind() lets you specify the context that the function will execute in (that is, it lets you pass in what object the this keyword will resolve to in the body of the function.
A couple of analogous toolkit API methods that perform a similar service:
jQuery.proxy()
Dojo.hitch()
Bind Method
A bind implementation might look something like so:
Function.prototype.bind = function () {
const self = this;
const args = [...arguments];
const context = args.shift();
return function () {
return self.apply(context, args.concat([...arguments]));
};
};
The bind function can take any number of arguments and return a new function.
The new function will call the original function using the JS Function.prototype.apply method.The apply method will use the first argument passed to the target function as its context (this), and the second array argument of the apply method will be a combination of the rest of the arguments from the target function, concat with the arguments used to call the return function (in that order).
An example can look something like so:
function Fruit(emoji) {
this.emoji = emoji;
}
Fruit.prototype.show = function () {
console.log(this.emoji);
};
const apple = new Fruit('🍎');
const orange = new Fruit('🍊');
apple.show(); // 🍎
orange.show(); // 🍊
const fruit1 = apple.show;
const fruit2 = apple.show.bind();
const fruit3 = apple.show.bind(apple);
const fruit4 = apple.show.bind(orange);
fruit1(); // undefined
fruit2(); // undefined
fruit3(); // 🍎
fruit4(); // 🍊
/**
* Bind is a method inherited from Function.prototype same like call and apply
* It basically helps to bind a function to an object's context during initialisation
*
* */
window.myname = "Jineesh";
var foo = function(){
return this.myname;
};
//IE < 8 has issues with this, supported in ecmascript 5
var obj = {
myname : "John",
fn:foo.bind(window)// binds to window object
};
console.log( obj.fn() ); // Returns Jineesh
Consider the Simple Program listed below,
//we create object user
let User = { name: 'Justin' };
//a Hello Function is created to Alert the object User
function Hello() {
alert(this.name);
}
//since there the value of this is lost we need to bind user to use this keyword
let user = Hello.bind(User);
user();
//we create an instance to refer the this keyword (this.name);
Simple Explanation:
bind() create a new function, a new reference at a function it returns to you.
In parameter after this keyword, you pass in the parameter you want to preconfigure. Actually it does not execute immediately, just prepares for execution.
You can preconfigure as many parameters as you want.
Simple Example to understand bind:
function calculate(operation) {
if (operation === 'ADD') {
alert('The Operation is Addition');
} else if (operation === 'SUBTRACT') {
alert('The Operation is Subtraction');
}
}
addBtn.addEventListener('click', calculate.bind(this, 'ADD'));
subtractBtn.addEventListener('click', calculate.bind(this, 'SUBTRACT'));
The bind function creates a new function with the same function body as the function it is calling .It is called with the this argument .why we use bind fun. : when every time a new instance is created and we have to use first initial instance then we use bind fun.We can't override the bind fun.simply it stores the initial object of the class.
setInterval(this.animate_to.bind(this), 1000/this.difference);
function.prototype.bind() accepts an Object.
It binds the calling function to the passed Object and the returns
the same.
When an object is bound to a function, it means you will be able to
access the values of that object from within the function using
'this' keyword.
It can also be said as,
function.prototype.bind() is used to provide/change the context of a
function.
let powerOfNumber = function(number) {
let product = 1;
for(let i=1; i<= this.power; i++) {
product*=number;
}
return product;
}
let powerOfTwo = powerOfNumber.bind({power:2});
alert(powerOfTwo(2));
let powerOfThree = powerOfNumber.bind({power:3});
alert(powerOfThree(2));
let powerOfFour = powerOfNumber.bind({power:4});
alert(powerOfFour(2));
Let us try to understand this.
let powerOfNumber = function(number) {
let product = 1;
for (let i = 1; i <= this.power; i++) {
product *= number;
}
return product;
}
Here, in this function, this corresponds to the object bound to the function powerOfNumber. Currently we don't have any function that is bound to this function.
Let us create a function powerOfTwo which will find the second power of a number using the above function.
let powerOfTwo = powerOfNumber.bind({power:2});
alert(powerOfTwo(2));
Here the object {power : 2} is passed to powerOfNumber function using bind.
The bind function binds this object to the powerOfNumber() and returns the below function to powerOfTwo. Now, powerOfTwo looks like,
let powerOfNumber = function(number) {
let product = 1;
for(let i=1; i<=2; i++) {
product*=number;
}
return product;
}
Hence, powerOfTwo will find the second power.
Feel free to check this out.
bind() function in Javascript
The bind() method creates a new function that, when called, has its this keyword set to the provided value, with a given sequence of arguments preceding any provided when the new function is called.
An example for the first part
grabbed from react package useSt8
import { useState } from "react"
function st8() {
switch(arguments.length) {
case 0: return this[0]
case 1: return void this[1](arguments[0])
default: throw new Error("Expected 0 or 1 arguments")
}
}
function useSt8(initial) {
// this in st8 will be something like [state, setSatate]
return st8.bind(useState(initial))
}
// usage
function Counter() {
const count = useSt8(0);
return (
<>
Count: {count()}
<button onClick={() => count(0)}>Reset</button>
<button onClick={() => count(prevCount => prevCount + 1)}>inc</button>
</>
);
}
An example for the second part
const add = (a, b) => a+b
someThis = this
// new function with this value equal to someThis
add5 = add.bind(someThis, 5)
add5(10) // 15
// we don't use this in add decelartion so this will work too.
add10 = add.bind(null, 10)
add10(5) // 15
Here's the simplest possible explanation:
Say you have a function
function _loop(n) { console.log("so: " + n) }
obviously you can call it like _loop(69) as usual.
Rewrite like this:
var _loop = function() { console.log("so: " + this.n) }
Notice there are now
no arguments as such
you use "this. " to get to the named arguments
You can now call the function like this:
_loop.bind( {"n": 420} )
That's it.
Most typical use case:
A really typical use is when you need to add an argument to a callback.
Callbacks can't have arguments.
So just "rewrite" the callback as above.
Simple example
function lol(second, third) {
console.log(this.first, second, third);
}
lol(); // undefined, undefined, undefined
lol('1'); // undefined, "1", undefined
lol('1', '2'); // undefined, "1", "2"
lol.call({first: '1'}); // "1", undefined, undefined
lol.call({first: '1'}, '2'); // "1", "2", undefined
lol.call({first: '1'}, '2', '3'); // "1", "2", "3"
lol.apply({first: '1'}); // "1", undefined, undefined
lol.apply({first: '1'}, ['2', '3']); // "1", "2", "3"
const newLol = lol.bind({first: '1'});
newLol(); // "1", undefined, undefined
newLol('2'); // "1", "2", undefined
newLol('2', '3'); // "1", "2", "3"
const newOmg = lol.bind({first: '1'}, '2');
newOmg(); // "1", "2", undefined
newOmg('3'); // "1", "2", "3"
const newWtf = lol.bind({first: '1'}, '2', '3');
newWtf(); // "1", "2", "3"
Another usage is that you can pass binded function as an argument to another function which is operating under another execution context.
var name = "sample";
function sample(){
console.log(this.name);
}
var cb = sample.bind(this);
function somefunction(cb){
//other code
cb();
}
somefunction.call({}, cb);
In addition to what have been said, the bind() method allows an object to borrow a method from another object without making a copy of that method. This is known as function borrowing in JavaScript.
i did not read above code but i learn something in simple so want to share here about bind method after bind method we can use it as any normal method.
<pre> note: do not use arrow function it will show error undefined </pre>
let solarSystem = {
sun: 'red',
moon : 'white',
sunmoon : function(){
let dayNight = this.sun + ' is the sun color and present in day and '+this.moon + ' is the moon color and prenet in night';
return dayNight;
}
}
let work = function(work,sleep){
console.log(this.sunmoon()); // accessing the solatSystem it show error undefine sunmmon untill now because we can't access directly for that we use .bind()
console.log('i work in '+ work +' and sleep in '+sleep);
}
let outPut = work.bind(solarSystem);
outPut('day','night')
bind is a function which is available in java script prototype, as the name suggest bind is used to bind your function call to the context whichever you are dealing with for eg:
var rateOfInterest='4%';
var axisBank=
{
rateOfInterest:'10%',
getRateOfInterest:function()
{
return this.rateOfInterest;
}
}
axisBank.getRateOfInterest() //'10%'
let knowAxisBankInterest=axisBank.getRateOfInterest // when you want to assign the function call to a varaible we use this syntax
knowAxisBankInterest(); // you will get output as '4%' here by default the function is called wrt global context
let knowExactAxisBankInterest=knowAxisBankInterest.bind(axisBank); //so here we need bind function call to its local context
knowExactAxisBankInterest() // '10%'

No binding of arguments in JavaScript

Can anyone please explain me the behavior of this code?
var arguments = 42;
var arr = () => arguments;
arr(); // 42
function foo() {
var f = (i) => arguments[0] + i; // foo's implicit arguments binding
return f(2);
}
foo(1); // 3
I know what implicit arguments binding is.
What I don't understand is how foo(1) is returning 3?
What does return f(2) does? As in which function it calls?
PS: I'm following this Mozilla docs.
Arrow functions do not bind arguments so when you use arguments[0] inside f you are accessing foo's arguments (ie 1). Since you have passed 2 as i you get 1 + 2
For example if you use an arrow function that tries to access arguments outside of a function call you should get a ReferenceError
const f = i => console.log(arguments[0])
try {
f()
console.assert(false, 'should not get here')
} catch (e) {
console.assert(e instanceof ReferenceError,
'should get reference error on trying to access arguments')
console.log(e.message)
}
To make this a little clearer for you I'll re-write it as ES5
function foo(){
var arg1 = arguments[0]; // argument is 1 in your example
var f = function(i) {
return arg1 + i; // i is 2 in your example
};
return f(2); // returns 3
}
foo(1); // sets argument to 1 and returns 3
In ES6 arrow functions do not have an arguments property like standard functions. You're accessing the foo function arguments array like object. As the first argument you passed in is 1, the arrow function accesses the foo function arguments object and retrieves the first value within the arrow function.

Javascript, getting away from 'this' and using local scope

In a typical js class, all calls to member functions must be preceded by this. I was looking at a technique that would let me create a library of inter-dependent STATIC functions and relying on closure/scope to make things a bit easier.
Example:
var Singleton={
//main entry point
// call with fn name, args...
call:function(){
var args=[];
if (arguments.length==0) {
return;
}
// get the fn name
var fn=arguments[0];
var x;
// make args array
for (x=1;x<arguments.length;x++) {
args[args.length]=arguments[x];
}
// I want to get rid of this part
// See below for what I wish
// Here I have access to fns below due to hoisting in js
// so I put them in a map...
var fns={
test:test
// etc, more like this I do not want to type/maintain
}
// ... all so I can do this
// get my function.
var fun=fns[fn];
// instead of that, I would like to "override whitespace" and
// say something like:
// var fun=['fn_name'];
// so I can index into local scope and get a fn
//
// log error if not found
if (typeof fun=='undefined') {
loge('Singleton: function not found:'+fn);
return;
}
// ok, run the function
return fun.apply(window,args);
// the test fn accesses test2() without dot notation
function test(a){
// Note: here in test fn it can access test2()
// without using this.test2() syntax
// as you would in normal objects
var s=test2();
alert(s+' test:'+a);
};
function test2(){
return 'test2';
};
}
}
I was hoping someone more familiar with advances in javascript might have advice on how to emulate an "implied but unnecessary this", it always struck me as strange that this defaults to window, and wouldn't it be nice if this could be pointed to an anonymous object with the local scope attached.
I would love to say ['localObject'] to get something in scope.
Edit:
After seeing some of the responses, I will restate this in the form of a challenge:
What I am looking for is a syntax cheat, a way to, as #Varuna put it, "1. Access static methods without using this variable i.e. they will remain global to one another. 2. Do not want to maintain a local array for static methods and want to achieve with in the local scope itself."
Put differently, I need to have the declared functions Register themselves, but I don't want to state the function name more than once. I suppose #Varuna has a solution using eval to access the local scope.
The following approach wont work:
var o={};
o['fn']=function fn(){};
o['fn2']=function fn2(){};
...because you have to state the fn name twice, but closure is preserved.
And this:
var a=[
function fn(){}
,function fn2(){}
];
Register(a);
Will not work because, AFAIK, you lose closure, ie. fn2 cannot see fn. Which also makes the following declarative style a "this nightmare":
window.MINE={
fn:function fn(){
//this?
// want to say fn2(), not this.fn2(), nor MINE.fn2()
}
,fn2:function fn2(){
//this?
}
,deeper:{
//more
}
};
But something like this might work, if you created a weird property that does the registration on assignment:
var registar=new Registar();
registar.reg=function fn(){};
registar.reg=function fn2(){};
//then access
var fn=registar.getFn(n);
// or
var fn=registar._[n];
The above relies on js properties and having access to fn.name, which is not available in all cases AFAIK.
If I understand correctly, you want to create objects that:
have static members
... which can be accessed without using the this notation
The easiest solution (assuming I've properly understood your query), would be to simply use a closure to store your stratic fields, access them directly by name, then explicitly add them as object members.
Consider:
var myConstructor = (function(){
var foo = 'someStaticField';
var bar = function(){
alert('A static method returns ' + foo);
};
return function(){
return {
foo : foo,
bar : bar
};
};
})();
var myInstance = new myConstructor();
As per my understanding, you want to:
1. Access static methods without using this variable i.e. they will remain global to one another.
2. Do not want to maintain a local array for static methods and want to achieve with in the local scope itself.
You can check whether a method exist using eval.Check Here
Only drawback is that this will be using eval method.
Code will be:
var Singleton = {
//main entry point
// call with fn name, args...
call: function () {
var args = [];
if (arguments.length == 0) {
return;
}
// get the fn name
var fn = arguments[0];
var x;
// make args array
for (x = 1; x < arguments.length; x++) {
args[args.length] = arguments[x];
}
//check whether function exist in local scope and not in global scope
if (typeof eval(fn) !== 'undefined' && typeof window[fn] === 'undefined') {
// ok, run the function
return eval(fn).apply(window, args);
}
else{
// log error if not found
loge('Singleton: function not found:' + fn);
return;
}
// the test fn accesses test2() without dot notation
function test(a) {
// Note: here in test fn it can access test2()
// without using this.test2() syntax
// as you would in normal objects
var s = test2();
alert(s + ' test:' + a);
};
function test2() {
return 'test2';
};
}
}
How about declaring functions that can access each other in separate closure, and exporting them to main method by binding your call method to an object containing the functions? Something like previous post (modified slightly):
var Singleton = {
call: (function() {
// here 'call' is bound to object containig your test functions
// this: {test, test2}
if (0 == arguments.length) return;
// log error if not found
if ('function' != typeof this[arguments[0]]) {
console.warn('Singleton: function not found:' + arguments[0]);
return;
}
// '...index into local scope and get function
// ie. get the function by it's name
return this[arguments[0]].
apply(window, Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments, 1));
// --- or:
// you can explicitly introduce function names to current scope,
// by `eval`-ing them here (not very much preferred way in JavaScript world):
for (var fname in this)
if (this.hasOwnProperty(fname))
eval('var ' + fname + ' = ' + this[fname]);
// and you can reference them directly by using their names
var fn = eval(arguments[0]);
return fn.apply(window, Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments, 1));
}).bind(
(function() {
var _exports = {};
function test (a) {
var s = test2();
alert(s + ' test: ' + a);
}
function test2 () {
return 'test2';
}
_exports['test'] = test;
_exports['test2'] = test2;
return _exports;
})()
)};
Singleton.call('test', 'foo and stuff');
//
previous post:
You are talking about Function#bind functionality that enables 'customizing' function's context. .bind() your call method to required 'local context' like this:
var Singleton = {
//main entry point
// call with fn name, args...
call: (function() {
// here `this` (context) is object bound to `call` method
// not `global` object, which is default for 'unbound' functions
var locals = this; // {fns, shift, loge, isfunc}
var fn;
var fun;
var x;
if (arguments.length == 0)
return;
// get the fn name
fn = locals.shift(arguments);
// '...index into local scope and get a fn'
fun = locals.fns[fn];
// log error if not found
if (!locals.isfunc(fun)) {
locals.loge('Singleton: function not found:' + fn);
return;
}
// ok, run the function
return fun.apply(window, arguments);
// lock `call`'s context to provided object
// and use `this` to reference it inside `call`
}).bind({
fns: (function(_) {
// and you can '...create a library of inter-dependent STATIC functions'
// in this closure and invoke them in `call` method above
_.test = function (a) {
var s = _.test2();
alert(s + ' test: ' + a);
};
_.test2 = function() {
return 'test2';
};
return _;
})({}),
// and create couple of helper methods as well...
isfunc: (function(_getclass) {
_getclass.func = _getclass(_getclass);
return ('function' !== typeof(/foo/)) ?
function(node) {
return 'function' == typeof node;
} :
function(node) {
return _getclass.func === _getclass(node);
};
})(Function.prototype.call.bind(Object.prototype.toString)),
loge: console.warn,
shift: Function.prototype.call.bind(Array.prototype.shift)
}),
};
Singleton.call('test', 'foo and stuff');
// eof
Here's one 'in your face answer', because I really don't like what I see here.
I don't see why you need this kind of construct, you already have that as part of language core.
1. dynamic lookup
you are doing it in a rather 'unprecedented' kind of way,
hashes already do that for you, and it's lightning fast to do a hash search.
If you are eval()-ing random strings to do simple name lookup you really have to
step aside from a keybord for a while... (no offense please)
2. closures
you are saying about 'using closures' which you actualy don't use.
your call function redeclares test functions each time it gets called,
and looks the ('fresh version') functions in it's own variable scope table,
instead of lookig them up in parent scope chains (aka. closures)
outside it's lexical location
3. nfe vs. nfd
ie. named function expressions vs. named function declarations
...you cannot assign a function to a local var and have it retain closure.
It is a feature, you might not be aware of how it works (it tripped me up as well).
check this article out for clarification
4. exceptions
Singleton: function name not found... x4!
Just go ahead and call a function,
interpreter will throw for you anyway if it cannot find/execute
5. eval (aka. ^^)
Singleton.call.ctx.fun = eval(Singleton.call.ctx.fn);
eval takes any string here(#!), and gladly executes ones like:
'for(;;);', or 'while(1);'... forever.
You probably don't want to have any code running unless it was your stuff.
6. arguments handling
It is considered best practice out there to use single (Object) options parameter
to 'fine tune' any significant piece of bundled functionality,
instead of trying to figure that out by type checking provided argument list
Here's, in couple of simple lines, what I (and as I can see #Jimmy Breck-McKye) suggest you should do:
var Singleton.call = (function () {
var funcmap = {
'f_1': function () {},
// etc.
'f_N': function () {},
};
return function (options) {
// options members:
// context, (Object) context, (defaults to global if none is given)
// func, (String) function_name,
// args, (Array) arguments to pass into a function
// this line does everything your 100+ lines long snippet was trying to:
// look's up parent scope for a function, tries to run it
// passing provided data, throws if it gets stuck.
return funcmap[options.func].apply(options.context, options.args);
};
})();
//
Answering my own question here.
The core of the issue is that you cannot assign a function to a local var and have it retain closure.
Consider that when writing a function with global and window scope, this is not necessary to call another function with identical scope. Such is not the case with member functions.
Another way of saying this is that there is no space where your cursor can sit and as you declare a function it automatically gets attached to the current this.
function fn(){}// if we are in global scope, then window.fn becomes defined
// but if we are inside, say, a constructor, simple declaration will not attach
// it to this, but fn is available in scope.
Any assignment on function declaration BREAKS part of the expected closure:
var IdentifierAvailableToClosure=function Unavailable(){}
But assignment after declaration works:
function NowAvailable(){}
var SynonymAvailableToo=NowAvailable;
This is what I meant by not wanting to repeat the name twice to get the mechanism to work.
This fact made me abandon other methods and rely on eval as suggested. Here is a first draft:
// This object is an encapsulation mechanism for a group of
// inter-dependent, static-ish, functions that can call each other
// without a this pointer prefix.
// Calls take the form of:
// Singleton.call(functionName:String [,arg1]...)
// or
// Singleton.call(contextObject:Object, functionName:String [,arg1]...)
// If a context is not provided, window is used.
//
// This type of mechanism is useful when you have defined a group
// of functions in the window/global scope and they are not ready
// to be formalized into a set of classes, or you have no intention
// of doing that
//
// To illustrate the issue, consider that a function
// which is defined in window/global scope
// does not have to use the this pointer to call a function of
// identical scope -- yet in a class member function, the this pointer
// MUST be used
// Therefore, trying to package such functions requires injecting
// the this pointer into function bodies where calls to associater
// functions are made
//
// Usage is primarily for development where one has control over
// global namespace pollution and the mechanism is useful in
// refactoring prior to formalization of methods into classes
var Singleton={
// Main call point
call:function(){
// Bail with error if no args
if (arguments.length==0) {
throw('Singleton: need at least 1 arg');
}
// As all functions in the local scope library below
// have access to the local scope via closure, we want to reduce
// pollution here, so lets attach locals to this call
// function instead of declaring locals
//
// Prepare to call anon fn
Singleton.call.args=arguments;
// Make ctx have args, context object, and function name
Singleton.call.ctx=(function (){// return args,ctx,name
// out
var args=[];
//locals
var x, fn;
// collapse identifier
var a=Singleton.call.args;
// closure object avail to functions, default to window
that=window;
// first real function argument
var arg_start=1;
// first arg must be function name or object
if (typeof a[0]=='string') {// use window ctx
fn=a[0];
// if first arg is object, second is name
}else if (typeof a[0]=='object') {
// assign given context
that=a[0];
// check second arg for string, function name
if (typeof a[1]!='string') {
var err='Singleton: second argument needs to be a fn name'
+' when first arg is a context object';
throw(err)
return;
}
// ok, have a name
fn=a[1];
// args follow
arg_start=2;
}else{
// improper arg types
var err='Singleton: first argument needs to be a string or object';
throw(err)
}
// build args array for function
for (x=arg_start;x<a.length;x++) {
args[args.length]=a[x];
}
// return context
return {
args: args
,that:that
,fn:fn
};
})();
// using function library present in local scope, try to find specified function
try{
Singleton.call.ctx.fun=eval(Singleton.call.ctx.fn);
}catch (e){
console.error('Singleton: function name not found:' + Singleton.call.ctx.fn);
throw('Singleton: function name not found:' + Singleton.call.ctx.fn);
}
// it must be a function
if (typeof Singleton.call.ctx.fun !== 'function') {
console.error('Singleton: function name not found:' + Singleton.call.ctx.fn);
throw('Singleton: function name not found:' + Singleton.call.ctx.fn);
}
// library functions use that instead of this
// that is visible to them due to closure
var that=Singleton.call.ctx.that;
// Do the call!
return Singleton.call.ctx.fun.apply(that, Singleton.call.ctx.args);
//
// cool library of functions below,
// functions see each other through closure and not through this.fn
function test(s){
alert(test2()+' test:'+s);
}
function info_props(){
console.info(this_props());
}
function test2(){
return 'test2';
}
function this_props(){
var s='';
for (var i in that) {
s+=' '+i;
}
return s;
};
}
};

Bind more arguments of an already bound function in Javascript

I try to sort my thoughts about how javascript's bind() works.
I see that if I do
var f = function (a) { ... }
var g = f.bind(obj);
g(1)
then f is called with obj as this and 1 as a.
What I thought is g is a wrapper function around f.
But when I do
var f = function (a) { ... }
var g = f.bind(obj);
g.call(1)
then f is called with 1 as this and a undefined.
So it seems g is not just a simple wrapper, but call somehow differentiates between normal and bound functions.
One more thing is I cannot partially apply a function more times.
var f = function (a) { ... }
var g = f.bind(obj);
var h = g.bind(1);
h();
Then f is called with obj as this and a undefined.
What is the cause of this behavior?
Edit
The constructs in this question are actually wrong, see the accepted answer on what they should look like (in general I haven't noticed that call and bind do always need the context argument as the first argument).
Once you bound an object to a function with bind, you cannot override it. It's clearly written in the specs, as you can see in MDN documentation:
"The bind() function creates a new function (a bound function) with the same function body (internal call property in ECMAScript 5 terms) as the function it is being called on (the bound function's target function) with the this value bound to the first argument of bind(), which cannot be overridden."
That means, also if you do:
g.call(1);
You will get obj as this, and not 1 – on the browsers that follows the specs.
You can of course binds multiple arguments, so:
var sum = function(a, b, c) { return a + b + c };
var sumAB = sum.bind(null, 1, 5);
var sumC = sumAB.bind(null, 2);
console.log(sumC());
But the context object will be always the one specified with the first bind, because it cannot be overwritten.
Just to avoid confusion, the first argument of call is the context object (this), then you will have the rest of the argument.
It means:
var obj = { foo: function(bar) { console.log(bar) } };
obj.foo('hello');
// equivalent to:
var foo = obj.foo;
foo.call(obj, 'hello');
Hope it helps.
You never passed any arguments — you only ever set context. call's first argument is received as context (this), and arguments 2 onwards are received as the called function's arguments 1 and onwards. Meanwhile, bind creates a new function with a new context — arguments are passed when it's invoked.
Here are ways of passing 1 as function f's argument a following on from your first code block:
f( 1 );
g( 1 );
g.call( this, 1 );
g.apply( this, [ 1 ] );
Function.prototype.call()
With the call() method, you can write a method that can be used on different objects. In other words with call(), an object can use a method belonging to another object. More information
const person = {
fullName: function() {
return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;
}
}
const person1 = {
firstName:"John",
lastName: "Doe"
}
const person2 = {
firstName:"Mary",
lastName: "Doe"
}
// This will return "John Doe":
console.log(person.fullName.call(person1));
The call() allows for a function/method belonging to one object to be assigned and called for a different object.
call() provides a new value of this to the function/method. With call(), you can write a method once and then inherit it in another object, without having to rewrite the method for the new object.
> Using call to chain constructors for an object
You can use call to chain constructors for an object (similar to Java).
In the following example, the constructor for the Product object is defined with two parameters: name and price.
Two other functions, Food and Toy, invoke Product, passing this, name, and price. Product initializes the properties name and price, both specialized functions define the category.
function Product(name, price) {
this.name = name;
this.price = price;
}
function Food(name, price) {
Product.call(this, name, price);
this.category = 'food';
}
function Toy(name, price) {
Product.call(this, name, price);
this.category = 'toy';
}
const cheese = new Food('feta', 5);
const fun = new Toy('robot', 40);
console.log(cheese);
console.log(fun);
> Using call to invoke an anonymous function
In this example, we create an anonymous function and use call to invoke it on every object in an array.
The main purpose of the anonymous function here is to add a print function to every object, which is able to print the correct index of the object in the array.
const animals = [
{ species: 'Lion', name: 'King' },
{ species: 'Whale', name: 'Fail' }
];
for (let i = 0; i < animals.length; i++) {
(function(i) {
this.print = function() {
console.log('#' + i + ' ' + this.species
+ ': ' + this.name);
}
this.print();
}).call(animals[i], i);
}
> Using call to invoke a function and specifying the context for 'this'
In the example below, when we call greet, the value of this will be bound to object obj.
function greet() {
const reply = [this.animal, 'typically sleep between', this.sleepDuration].join(' ');
console.log(reply);
}
const obj = {
animal: 'cats', sleepDuration: '12 and 16 hours'
};
greet.call(obj); // cats typically sleep between 12 and 16 hours
> Using call to invoke a function and without specifying the first argument
In the example below, we invoke the display function without passing the first argument. If the first argument is not passed, the value of this is bound to the global object.
var sData = 'Wisen';
function display() {
console.log('sData value is %s ', this.sData);
}
display.call(); // sData value is Wisen
Note: In strict mode, the value of this will be undefined. See below.
'use strict';
var sData = 'Wisen';
function display() {
console.log('sData value is %s ', this.sData);
}
display.call(); // Cannot read the property of 'sData' of undefined
For more read you can visit reference
Function.prototype.bind()
The bind() method creates a new function that, when called, has its this keyword set to the provided value, with a given sequence of arguments preceding any provided when the new function is called.
const module = {
x: 42,
getX: function() {
return this.x;
}
};
const unboundGetX = module.getX;
console.log(unboundGetX()); // The function gets invoked at the global scope
// expected output: undefined
const boundGetX = unboundGetX.bind(module);
console.log(boundGetX());
// expected output: 42
> Creating a bound function
The simplest use of bind() is to make a function that, no matter how it is called, is called with a particular this value.
A common mistake for new JavaScript programmers is to extract a method from an object, then to later call that function and expect it to use the original object as its this (e.g., by using the method in callback-based code).
Without special care, however, the original object is usually lost. Creating a bound function from the function, using the original object, neatly solves this problem:
this.x = 9; // 'this' refers to global 'window' object here in a browser
const module = {
x: 81,
getX: function() { return this.x; }
};
module.getX();
// returns 81
const retrieveX = module.getX;
retrieveX();
// returns 9; the function gets invoked at the global scope
// Create a new function with 'this' bound to module
// New programmers might confuse the
// global variable 'x' with module's property 'x'
const boundGetX = retrieveX.bind(module);
console.log(boundGetX());
// returns 81
> Partially applied functions
The next simplest use of bind() is to make a function with pre-specified initial arguments.
These arguments (if any) follow the provided this value and are then inserted at the start of the arguments passed to the target function, followed by whatever arguments are passed to the bound function at the time it is called.
function list() {
return Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments);
}
function addArguments(arg1, arg2) {
return arg1 + arg2;
}
const list1 = list(1, 2, 3);
// [1, 2, 3]
const result1 = addArguments(1, 2);
// 3
// Create a function with a preset leading argument
const leadingThirtysevenList = list.bind(null, 37);
// Create a function with a preset first argument.
const addThirtySeven = addArguments.bind(null, 37);
const list2 = leadingThirtysevenList();
// [37]
const list3 = leadingThirtysevenList(1, 2, 3);
// [37, 1, 2, 3]
const result2 = addThirtySeven(5);
// 37 + 5 = 42
const result3 = addThirtySeven(5, 10);
// 37 + 5 = 42
// (the second argument is ignored)
> With setTimeout()
By default within setTimeout(), the this keyword will be set to the window (or global) object. When working with class methods that require this to refer to class instances, you may explicitly bind this to the callback function, in order to maintain the instance.
function LateBloomer() {
this.petalCount = Math.floor(Math.random() * 12) + 1;
}
// Declare bloom after a delay of 1 second
LateBloomer.prototype.bloom = function() {
window.setTimeout(this.declare.bind(this), 1000);
};
LateBloomer.prototype.declare = function() {
console.log(`I am a beautiful flower with ${this.petalCount} petals!`);
};
const flower = new LateBloomer();
flower.bloom();
// after 1 second, calls 'flower.declare()'
And if you want to know more about bind method, read this resource

Method vs Functions, and other questions

With respect to JS, what's the difference between the two? I know methods are associated with objects, but am confused what's the purpose of functions? How does the syntax of each of them differ?
Also, what's the difference between these 2 syntax'es:
var myFirstFunc = function(param) {
//Do something
};
and
function myFirstFunc(param) {
//Do something
};
Also, I saw somewhere that we need to do something like this before using a function:
obj.myFirstFunc = myFirstFunc;
obj.myFirstFunc("param");
Why is the first line required, and what does it do?
Sorry if these are basic questions, but I'm starting with JS and am confused.
EDIT: For the last bit of code, this is what I'm talking about:
// here we define our method using "this", before we even introduce bob
var setAge = function (newAge) {
this.age = newAge;
};
// now we make bob
var bob = new Object();
bob.age = 30;
// and down here we just use the method we already made
bob.setAge = setAge;
To answer your title question as to what is the difference between a 'function' and a 'method'.
It's semantics and has to do with what you are trying to express.
In JavaScript every function is an object. An object is a collection of key:value pairs. If a value is a primitive (number, string, boolean), or another object, the value is considered a property. If a value is a function, it is called a 'method'.
Within the scope of an object, a function is referred to as a method of that object. It is invoked from the object namespace MyObj.theMethod(). Since we said that a function is an object, a function within a function can be considered a method of that function.
You could say things like “I am going to use the save method of my object.” And "This save method accepts a function as a parameter.” But you generally wouldn't say that a function accepts a method as a parameter.
Btw, the book JavaScript Patterns by Stoyan Stefanov covers your questions in detail, and I highly recommend it if you really want to understand the language. Here's a quote from the book on this subject:
So it could happen that a function A, being an object, has properties and methods, one of which happens to be another function B. Then B can accept a function C as an argument and, when executed, can return another function D.
There is a slight difference -
Method : Method is a function when object is associated with it.
var obj = {
name : "John snow",
work : function someFun(paramA, paramB) {
// some code..
}
Function : When no object is associated with it , it comes to function.
function fun(param1, param2){
// some code...
}
Many answers are saying something along the lines that a method is what a function is called when it is defined on an object.
While this is often true in the way the word is used when people talk about JavaScript or object oriented programming in general (see here), it is worth noting that in ES6 the term method has taken on a very specific meaning (see section 14.3 Method Definitions of the specs).
Method Definitions
A method (in the strict sense) is a function that was defined through the concise method syntax in an object literal or as a class method in a class declaration / expression:
// In object literals:
const obj = {
method() {}
};
// In class declarations:
class MyClass {
method() {}
}
Method Specificities
This answer gives a good overview about the specificities of methods (in the strict sense), namely:
methods get assigned an internal [[HomeObject]] property which allows them to use super.
methods are not created with a prototype property and they don't have an internal [[Construct]] method which means that they cannot be called with new.
the name of a method does not become a binding in the method's scope.
Below are some examples illustrating how methods (in the strict sense) differ from functions defined on objects through function expressions:
Example 1
const obj = {
method() {
super.test; // All good!
},
ordinaryFunction: function ordinaryFunction() {
super.test; // SyntaxError: 'super' keyword unexpected here
}
};
Example 2
const obj = {
method() {},
ordinaryFunction: function ordinaryFunction() {}
};
console.log( obj.ordinaryFunction.hasOwnProperty( 'prototype' ) ); // true
console.log( obj.method.hasOwnProperty( 'prototype' ) ); // false
new obj.ordinaryFunction(); // All good !
new obj.method(); // TypeError: obj.method is not a constructor
Example 3
const obj = {
method() {
console.log( method );
},
ordinaryFunction: function ordinaryFunction() {
console.log( ordinaryFunction );
}
};
obj.ordinaryFunction() // All good!
obj.method() // ReferenceError: method is not defined
A method is a property of an object whose value is a function. Methods are called on objects in the following format: object.method().
//this is an object named developer
const developer = {
name: 'Andrew',
sayHello: function () {
console.log('Hi there!');
},
favoriteLanguage: function (language) {
console.log(`My favorite programming language is ${language}`);
}
};
// favoriteLanguage: and sayHello: and name: all of them are proprieties in the object named developer
now lets say you needed to call favoriteLanguage propriety witch is a function inside the object..
you call it this way
developer.favoriteLanguage('JavaScript');
// My favorite programming language is JavaScript'
so what we name this: developer.favoriteLanguage('JavaScript');
its not a function its not an object? what it is? its a method
Your first line, is creating an object that references a function. You would reference it like this:
myFirstFunc(param);
But you can pass it to another function since it will return the function like so:
function mySecondFunction(func_param){}
mySecondFunction(myFirstFunc);
The second line just creates a function called myFirstFunc which would be referenced like this:
myFirstFunc(param);
And is limited in scope depending on where it is declared, if it is declared outside of any other function it belongs to the global scope. However you can declare a function inside another function. The scope of that function is then limited to the function its declared inside of.
function functionOne(){
function functionTwo(){}; //only accessed via the functionOne scope!
}
Your final examples are creating instances of functions that are then referenced though an object parameter. So this:
function myFirstFunc(param){};
obj.myFirst = myFirstFunc(); //not right!
obj.myFirst = new myFirstFunc(); //right!
obj.myFirst('something here'); //now calling the function
Says that you have an object that references an instance of a function. The key here is that if the function changes the reference you stored in obj.myFirst will not be changed.
While #kevin is basically right there is only functions in JS you can create functions that are much more like methods then functions, take this for example:
function player(){
this.stats = {
health: 0,
mana: 0,
get : function(){
return this;
},
set : function( stats ){
this.health = stats.health;
this.mana = stats.mana;
}
}
You could then call player.stats.get() and it would return to you the value of heath, and mana. So I would consider get and set in this instance to be methods of the player.stats object.
A function executes a list of statements example:
function add() {
var a = 2;
var b = 3;
var c = a + b;
return c;
}
1) A method is a function that is applied to an object example:
var message = "Hello world!";
var x = message.toUpperCase(); // .toUpperCase() is a built in function
2) Creating a method using an object constructor. Once the method belongs to the object you can apply it to that object. example:
function Person(first, last, age, eyecolor) {
this.firstName = first;
this.lastName = last;
this.age = age;
this.eyeColor = eyecolor;
this.name = function() {return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;};
}
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = person.fullName(); // using the
method
Definition of a method: A method is a property of an object that is a function. Methods are defined the way normal functions are defined, except that they have to be assigned as the property of an object.
var myFirstFunc = function(param) {
//Do something
};
and
function myFirstFunc(param) {
//Do something
};
are (almost) identical. The second is (usually) just shorthand. However, as this jsfiddle (http://jsfiddle.net/cu2Sy/) shows, function myFirstFunc will cause the function to be defined as soon as the enclosing scope is entered, whereas myFirstFunc = function will only create it once execution reaches that line.
As for methods, they have a this argument, which is the current object, so:
var obj = {};
obj.func = function( ) {
// here, "this" is obj
this.test = 2;
}
console.log( obj.test ); // undefined
obj.func( );
console.log( obj.test ); // 2
The exact syntax you showed is because you can also do this:
function abc( ) {
this.test = 2;
}
var obj = {};
obj.func = abc;
obj.func( ); // sets obj.test to 2
but you shouldn't without good reason.
ecma document
4.3.31method :
function that is the value of a property
NOTE When a function is called as a method of an object, the object is
passed to the function as its this value.
It is very clear: when you call a function if it implicitly has a this (to point an object) and if you can't call the function without an object, the function deserves to name as method.

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