We Keep Coding

Class vs alternate ways of accomplishing it [duplicate]

I prefer to use OOP in large scale projects like the one I'm working on right now. I need to create several classes in JavaScript but, if I'm not mistaken, there are at least a couple of ways to go about doing that. What would be the syntax and why would it be done in that way?
I would like to avoid using third-party libraries - at least at first.
Looking for other answers, I found the article Object-Oriented Programming with JavaScript, Part I: Inheritance - Doc JavaScript that discusses object-oriented programming in JavaScript. Is there a better way to do inheritance?

Here's the way to do it without using any external libraries:
// Define a class like this
function Person(name, gender){
// Add object properties like this
this.name = name;
this.gender = gender;
}
// Add methods like this. All Person objects will be able to invoke this
Person.prototype.speak = function(){
alert("Howdy, my name is" + this.name);
};
// Instantiate new objects with 'new'
var person = new Person("Bob", "M");
// Invoke methods like this
person.speak(); // alerts "Howdy, my name is Bob"
Now the real answer is a whole lot more complex than that. For instance, there is no such thing as classes in JavaScript. JavaScript uses a prototype-based inheritance scheme.
In addition, there are numerous popular JavaScript libraries that have their own style of approximating class-like functionality in JavaScript. You'll want to check out at least Prototype and jQuery.
Deciding which of these is the "best" is a great way to start a holy war on Stack Overflow. If you're embarking on a larger JavaScript-heavy project, it's definitely worth learning a popular library and doing it their way. I'm a Prototype guy, but Stack Overflow seems to lean towards jQuery.
As far as there being only "one way to do it", without any dependencies on external libraries, the way I wrote is pretty much it.

The best way to define a class in JavaScript is to not define a class.
Seriously.
There are several different flavors of object-orientation, some of them are:
class-based OO (first introduced by Smalltalk)
prototype-based OO (first introduced by Self)
multimethod-based OO (first introduced by CommonLoops, I think)
predicate-based OO (no idea)
And probably others I don't know about.
JavaScript implements prototype-based OO. In prototype-based OO, new objects are created by copying other objects (instead of being instantiated from a class template) and methods live directly in objects instead of in classes. Inheritance is done via delegation: if an object doesn't have a method or property, it is looked up on its prototype(s) (i.e. the object it was cloned from), then the prototype's prototypes and so on.
In other words: there are no classes.
JavaScript actually has a nice tweak of that model: constructors. Not only can you create objects by copying existing ones, you can also construct them "out of thin air", so to speak. If you call a function with the new keyword, that function becomes a constructor and the this keyword will not point to the current object but instead to a newly created "empty" one. So, you can configure an object any way you like. In that way, JavaScript constructors can take on one of the roles of classes in traditional class-based OO: serving as a template or blueprint for new objects.
Now, JavaScript is a very powerful language, so it is quite easy to implement a class-based OO system within JavaScript if you want to. However, you should only do this if you really have a need for it and not just because that's the way Java does it.

ES2015 Classes
In the ES2015 specification, you can use the class syntax which is just sugar over the prototype system.
class Person {
constructor(name) {
this.name = name;
}
toString() {
return `My name is ${ this.name }.`;
}
}
class Employee extends Person {
constructor(name, hours) {
super(name);
this.hours = hours;
}
toString() {
return `${ super.toString() } I work ${ this.hours } hours.`;
}
}
Benefits
The main benefit is that static analysis tools find it easier to target this syntax. It is also easier for others coming from class-based languages to use the language as a polyglot.
Caveats
Be wary of its current limitations. To achieve private properties, one must resort to using Symbols or WeakMaps. In future releases, classes will most likely be expanded to include these missing features.
Support
Browser support isn't very good at the moment (supported by nearly everyone except IE), but you can use these features now with a transpiler like Babel.
Resources
Classes in ECMAScript 6 (final semantics)
What? Wait. Really? Oh no! (a post about ES6 classes and privacy)
Compatibility Table – Classes
Babel – Classes

I prefer to use Daniel X. Moore's {SUPER: SYSTEM}. This is a discipline that provides benefits such as true instance variables, trait based inheritance, class hierarchies and configuration options. The example below illustrates the use of true instance variables, which I believe is the biggest advantage. If you don't need instance variables and are happy with only public or private variables then there are probably simpler systems.
function Person(I) {
I = I || {};
Object.reverseMerge(I, {
name: "McLovin",
age: 25,
homeState: "Hawaii"
});
return {
introduce: function() {
return "Hi I'm " + I.name + " and I'm " + I.age;
}
};
}
var fogel = Person({
age: "old enough"
});
fogel.introduce(); // "Hi I'm McLovin and I'm old enough"
Wow, that's not really very useful on it's own, but take a look at adding a subclass:
function Ninja(I) {
I = I || {};
Object.reverseMerge(I, {
belt: "black"
});
// Ninja is a subclass of person
return Object.extend(Person(I), {
greetChallenger: function() {
return "In all my " + I.age + " years as a ninja, I've never met a challenger as worthy as you...";
}
});
}
var resig = Ninja({name: "John Resig"});
resig.introduce(); // "Hi I'm John Resig and I'm 25"
Another advantage is the ability to have modules and trait based inheritance.
// The Bindable module
function Bindable() {
var eventCallbacks = {};
return {
bind: function(event, callback) {
eventCallbacks[event] = eventCallbacks[event] || [];
eventCallbacks[event].push(callback);
},
trigger: function(event) {
var callbacks = eventCallbacks[event];
if(callbacks && callbacks.length) {
var self = this;
callbacks.forEach(function(callback) {
callback(self);
});
}
},
};
}
An example of having the person class include the bindable module.
function Person(I) {
I = I || {};
Object.reverseMerge(I, {
name: "McLovin",
age: 25,
homeState: "Hawaii"
});
var self = {
introduce: function() {
return "Hi I'm " + I.name + " and I'm " + I.age;
}
};
// Including the Bindable module
Object.extend(self, Bindable());
return self;
}
var person = Person();
person.bind("eat", function() {
alert(person.introduce() + " and I'm eating!");
});
person.trigger("eat"); // Blasts the alert!
Disclosure: I am Daniel X. Moore and this is my {SUPER: SYSTEM}. It is the best way to define a class in JavaScript.

var Animal = function(options) {
var name = options.name;
var animal = {};
animal.getName = function() {
return name;
};
var somePrivateMethod = function() {
};
return animal;
};
// usage
var cat = Animal({name: 'tiger'});

Following are the ways to create objects in javascript, which I've used so far
Example 1:
obj = new Object();
obj.name = 'test';
obj.sayHello = function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
Example 2:
obj = {};
obj.name = 'test';
obj.sayHello = function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
obj.sayHello();
Example 3:
var obj = function(nameParam) {
this.name = nameParam;
}
obj.prototype.sayHello = function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
Example 4: Actual benefits of Object.create(). please refer [this link]
var Obj = {
init: function(nameParam) {
this.name = nameParam;
},
sayHello: function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
};
var usrObj = Object.create(Obj); // <== one level of inheritance
usrObj.init('Bob');
usrObj.sayHello();
Example 5 (customised Crockford's Object.create):
Object.build = function(o) {
var initArgs = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,1)
function F() {
if((typeof o.init === 'function') && initArgs.length) {
o.init.apply(this,initArgs)
}
}
F.prototype = o
return new F()
}
MY_GLOBAL = {i: 1, nextId: function(){return this.i++}} // For example
var userB = {
init: function(nameParam) {
this.id = MY_GLOBAL.nextId();
this.name = nameParam;
},
sayHello: function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
};
var bob = Object.build(userB, 'Bob'); // Different from your code
bob.sayHello();
To keep answer updated with ES6/ ES2015
A class is defined like this:
class Person {
constructor(strName, numAge) {
this.name = strName;
this.age = numAge;
}
toString() {
return '((Class::Person) named ' + this.name + ' & of age ' + this.age + ')';
}
}
let objPerson = new Person("Bob",33);
console.log(objPerson.toString());

I think you should read Douglas Crockford's Prototypal Inheritance in JavaScript and Classical Inheritance in JavaScript.
Examples from his page:
Function.prototype.method = function (name, func) {
this.prototype[name] = func;
return this;
};
Effect? It will allow you to add methods in more elegant way:
function Parenizor(value) {
this.setValue(value);
}
Parenizor.method('setValue', function (value) {
this.value = value;
return this;
});
I also recommend his videos:
Advanced JavaScript.
You can find more videos on his page: http://javascript.crockford.com/
In John Reisig book you can find many examples from Douglas Crockfor's website.

Because I will not admit the YUI/Crockford factory plan and because I like to keep things self contained and extensible this is my variation:
function Person(params)
{
this.name = params.name || defaultnamevalue;
this.role = params.role || defaultrolevalue;
if(typeof(this.speak)=='undefined') //guarantees one time prototyping
{
Person.prototype.speak = function() {/* do whatever */};
}
}
var Robert = new Person({name:'Bob'});
where ideally the typeof test is on something like the first method prototyped

If you're going for simple, you can avoid the "new" keyword entirely and just use factory methods. I prefer this, sometimes, because I like using JSON to create objects.
function getSomeObj(var1, var2){
var obj = {
instancevar1: var1,
instancevar2: var2,
someMethod: function(param)
{
//stuff;
}
};
return obj;
}
var myobj = getSomeObj("var1", "var2");
myobj.someMethod("bla");
I'm not sure what the performance hit is for large objects, though.

var Student = (function () {
function Student(firstname, lastname) {
this.firstname = firstname;
this.lastname = lastname;
this.fullname = firstname + " " + lastname;
}
Student.prototype.sayMyName = function () {
return this.fullname;
};
return Student;
}());
var user = new Student("Jane", "User");
var user_fullname = user.sayMyName();
Thats the way TypeScript compiles class with constructor to JavaScript.

The simple way is:
function Foo(a) {
var that=this;
function privateMethod() { .. }
// public methods
that.add = function(b) {
return a + b;
};
that.avg = function(b) {
return that.add(b) / 2; // calling another public method
};
}
var x = new Foo(10);
alert(x.add(2)); // 12
alert(x.avg(20)); // 15
The reason for that is that this can be bound to something else if you give a method as an event handler, so you save the value during instantiation and use it later.
Edit: it's definitely not the best way, just a simple way. I'm waiting for good answers too!

You probably want to create a type by using the Folding Pattern:
// Here is the constructor section.
var myType = function () {
var N = {}, // Enclosed (private) members are here.
X = this; // Exposed (public) members are here.
(function ENCLOSED_FIELDS() {
N.toggle = false;
N.text = '';
}());
(function EXPOSED_FIELDS() {
X.count = 0;
X.numbers = [1, 2, 3];
}());
// The properties below have access to the enclosed fields.
// Careful with functions exposed within the closure of the
// constructor, each new instance will have it's own copy.
(function EXPOSED_PROPERTIES_WITHIN_CONSTRUCTOR() {
Object.defineProperty(X, 'toggle', {
get: function () {
var before = N.toggle;
N.toggle = !N.toggle;
return before;
}
});
Object.defineProperty(X, 'text', {
get: function () {
return N.text;
},
set: function (value) {
N.text = value;
}
});
}());
};
// Here is the prototype section.
(function PROTOTYPE() {
var P = myType.prototype;
(function EXPOSED_PROPERTIES_WITHIN_PROTOTYPE() {
Object.defineProperty(P, 'numberLength', {
get: function () {
return this.numbers.length;
}
});
}());
(function EXPOSED_METHODS() {
P.incrementNumbersByCount = function () {
var i;
for (i = 0; i < this.numbers.length; i++) {
this.numbers[i] += this.count;
}
};
P.tweak = function () {
if (this.toggle) {
this.count++;
}
this.text = 'tweaked';
};
}());
}());
That code will give you a type called myType. It will have internal private fields called toggle and text. It will also have these exposed members: the fields count and numbers; the properties toggle, text and numberLength; the methods incrementNumbersByCount and tweak.
The Folding Pattern is fully detailed here:
Javascript Folding Pattern

Code golf for #liammclennan's answer.
var Animal = function (args) {
return {
name: args.name,
getName: function () {
return this.name; // member access
},
callGetName: function () {
return this.getName(); // method call
}
};
};
var cat = Animal({ name: 'tiger' });
console.log(cat.callGetName());

MooTools (My Object Oriented Tools) is centered on the idea of classes. You can even extend and implement with inheritance.
When mastered, it makes for ridiculously reusable, powerful javascript.

Object Based Classes with Inheritence
var baseObject =
{
// Replication / Constructor function
new : function(){
return Object.create(this);
},
aProperty : null,
aMethod : function(param){
alert("Heres your " + param + "!");
},
}
newObject = baseObject.new();
newObject.aProperty = "Hello";
anotherObject = Object.create(baseObject);
anotherObject.aProperty = "There";
console.log(newObject.aProperty) // "Hello"
console.log(anotherObject.aProperty) // "There"
console.log(baseObject.aProperty) // null
Simple, sweet, and gets 'er done.

Based on the example of Triptych, this might even be simpler:
// Define a class and instantiate it
var ThePerson = new function Person(name, gender) {
// Add class data members
this.name = name;
this.gender = gender;
// Add class methods
this.hello = function () { alert('Hello, this is ' + this.name); }
}("Bob", "M"); // this instantiates the 'new' object
// Use the object
ThePerson.hello(); // alerts "Hello, this is Bob"
This only creates a single object instance, but is still useful if you want to encapsulate a bunch of names for variable and methods in a class. Normally there would not be the "Bob, M" arguments to the constructor, for example if the methods would be calls to a system with its own data, such as a database or network.
I am still too new with JS to see why this does not use the prototype thing.

A base
function Base(kind) {
this.kind = kind;
}
A class
// Shared var
var _greeting;
(function _init() {
Class.prototype = new Base();
Class.prototype.constructor = Class;
Class.prototype.log = function() { _log.apply(this, arguments); }
_greeting = "Good afternoon!";
})();
function Class(name, kind) {
Base.call(this, kind);
this.name = name;
}
// Shared function
function _log() {
console.log(_greeting + " Me name is " + this.name + " and I'm a " + this.kind);
}
Action
var c = new Class("Joe", "Object");
c.log(); // "Good afternoon! Me name is Joe and I'm a Object"

JavaScript is object-oriented, but it's radically different than other OOP languages like Java, C# or C++. Don't try to understand it like that. Throw that old knowledge out and start anew. JavaScript needs a different thinking.
I'd suggest to get a good manual or something on the subject. I myself found ExtJS Tutorials the best for me, although I haven't used the framework before or after reading it. But it does give a good explanation about what is what in JavaScript world. Sorry, it seems that that content has been removed. Here's a link to archive.org copy instead. Works today. :P

//new way using this and new
function Persons(name) {
this.name = name;
this.greeting = function() {
alert('Hi! I\'m ' + this.name + '.');
};
}
var gee=new Persons("gee");
gee.greeting();
var gray=new Persons("gray");
gray.greeting();
//old way
function createPerson(name){
var obj={};
obj.name=name;
obj.greeting = function(){
console.log("hello I am"+obj.name);
};
return obj;
}
var gita=createPerson('Gita');
gita.greeting();

How to create converting constructor in javascript? [duplicate]

I prefer to use OOP in large scale projects like the one I'm working on right now. I need to create several classes in JavaScript but, if I'm not mistaken, there are at least a couple of ways to go about doing that. What would be the syntax and why would it be done in that way?
I would like to avoid using third-party libraries - at least at first.
Looking for other answers, I found the article Object-Oriented Programming with JavaScript, Part I: Inheritance - Doc JavaScript that discusses object-oriented programming in JavaScript. Is there a better way to do inheritance?

Here's the way to do it without using any external libraries:
// Define a class like this
function Person(name, gender){
// Add object properties like this
this.name = name;
this.gender = gender;
}
// Add methods like this. All Person objects will be able to invoke this
Person.prototype.speak = function(){
alert("Howdy, my name is" + this.name);
};
// Instantiate new objects with 'new'
var person = new Person("Bob", "M");
// Invoke methods like this
person.speak(); // alerts "Howdy, my name is Bob"
Now the real answer is a whole lot more complex than that. For instance, there is no such thing as classes in JavaScript. JavaScript uses a prototype-based inheritance scheme.
In addition, there are numerous popular JavaScript libraries that have their own style of approximating class-like functionality in JavaScript. You'll want to check out at least Prototype and jQuery.
Deciding which of these is the "best" is a great way to start a holy war on Stack Overflow. If you're embarking on a larger JavaScript-heavy project, it's definitely worth learning a popular library and doing it their way. I'm a Prototype guy, but Stack Overflow seems to lean towards jQuery.
As far as there being only "one way to do it", without any dependencies on external libraries, the way I wrote is pretty much it.

The best way to define a class in JavaScript is to not define a class.
Seriously.
There are several different flavors of object-orientation, some of them are:
class-based OO (first introduced by Smalltalk)
prototype-based OO (first introduced by Self)
multimethod-based OO (first introduced by CommonLoops, I think)
predicate-based OO (no idea)
And probably others I don't know about.
JavaScript implements prototype-based OO. In prototype-based OO, new objects are created by copying other objects (instead of being instantiated from a class template) and methods live directly in objects instead of in classes. Inheritance is done via delegation: if an object doesn't have a method or property, it is looked up on its prototype(s) (i.e. the object it was cloned from), then the prototype's prototypes and so on.
In other words: there are no classes.
JavaScript actually has a nice tweak of that model: constructors. Not only can you create objects by copying existing ones, you can also construct them "out of thin air", so to speak. If you call a function with the new keyword, that function becomes a constructor and the this keyword will not point to the current object but instead to a newly created "empty" one. So, you can configure an object any way you like. In that way, JavaScript constructors can take on one of the roles of classes in traditional class-based OO: serving as a template or blueprint for new objects.
Now, JavaScript is a very powerful language, so it is quite easy to implement a class-based OO system within JavaScript if you want to. However, you should only do this if you really have a need for it and not just because that's the way Java does it.

ES2015 Classes
In the ES2015 specification, you can use the class syntax which is just sugar over the prototype system.
class Person {
constructor(name) {
this.name = name;
}
toString() {
return `My name is ${ this.name }.`;
}
}
class Employee extends Person {
constructor(name, hours) {
super(name);
this.hours = hours;
}
toString() {
return `${ super.toString() } I work ${ this.hours } hours.`;
}
}
Benefits
The main benefit is that static analysis tools find it easier to target this syntax. It is also easier for others coming from class-based languages to use the language as a polyglot.
Caveats
Be wary of its current limitations. To achieve private properties, one must resort to using Symbols or WeakMaps. In future releases, classes will most likely be expanded to include these missing features.
Support
Browser support isn't very good at the moment (supported by nearly everyone except IE), but you can use these features now with a transpiler like Babel.
Resources
Classes in ECMAScript 6 (final semantics)
What? Wait. Really? Oh no! (a post about ES6 classes and privacy)
Compatibility Table – Classes
Babel – Classes

I prefer to use Daniel X. Moore's {SUPER: SYSTEM}. This is a discipline that provides benefits such as true instance variables, trait based inheritance, class hierarchies and configuration options. The example below illustrates the use of true instance variables, which I believe is the biggest advantage. If you don't need instance variables and are happy with only public or private variables then there are probably simpler systems.
function Person(I) {
I = I || {};
Object.reverseMerge(I, {
name: "McLovin",
age: 25,
homeState: "Hawaii"
});
return {
introduce: function() {
return "Hi I'm " + I.name + " and I'm " + I.age;
}
};
}
var fogel = Person({
age: "old enough"
});
fogel.introduce(); // "Hi I'm McLovin and I'm old enough"
Wow, that's not really very useful on it's own, but take a look at adding a subclass:
function Ninja(I) {
I = I || {};
Object.reverseMerge(I, {
belt: "black"
});
// Ninja is a subclass of person
return Object.extend(Person(I), {
greetChallenger: function() {
return "In all my " + I.age + " years as a ninja, I've never met a challenger as worthy as you...";
}
});
}
var resig = Ninja({name: "John Resig"});
resig.introduce(); // "Hi I'm John Resig and I'm 25"
Another advantage is the ability to have modules and trait based inheritance.
// The Bindable module
function Bindable() {
var eventCallbacks = {};
return {
bind: function(event, callback) {
eventCallbacks[event] = eventCallbacks[event] || [];
eventCallbacks[event].push(callback);
},
trigger: function(event) {
var callbacks = eventCallbacks[event];
if(callbacks && callbacks.length) {
var self = this;
callbacks.forEach(function(callback) {
callback(self);
});
}
},
};
}
An example of having the person class include the bindable module.
function Person(I) {
I = I || {};
Object.reverseMerge(I, {
name: "McLovin",
age: 25,
homeState: "Hawaii"
});
var self = {
introduce: function() {
return "Hi I'm " + I.name + " and I'm " + I.age;
}
};
// Including the Bindable module
Object.extend(self, Bindable());
return self;
}
var person = Person();
person.bind("eat", function() {
alert(person.introduce() + " and I'm eating!");
});
person.trigger("eat"); // Blasts the alert!
Disclosure: I am Daniel X. Moore and this is my {SUPER: SYSTEM}. It is the best way to define a class in JavaScript.

var Animal = function(options) {
var name = options.name;
var animal = {};
animal.getName = function() {
return name;
};
var somePrivateMethod = function() {
};
return animal;
};
// usage
var cat = Animal({name: 'tiger'});

Following are the ways to create objects in javascript, which I've used so far
Example 1:
obj = new Object();
obj.name = 'test';
obj.sayHello = function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
Example 2:
obj = {};
obj.name = 'test';
obj.sayHello = function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
obj.sayHello();
Example 3:
var obj = function(nameParam) {
this.name = nameParam;
}
obj.prototype.sayHello = function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
Example 4: Actual benefits of Object.create(). please refer [this link]
var Obj = {
init: function(nameParam) {
this.name = nameParam;
},
sayHello: function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
};
var usrObj = Object.create(Obj); // <== one level of inheritance
usrObj.init('Bob');
usrObj.sayHello();
Example 5 (customised Crockford's Object.create):
Object.build = function(o) {
var initArgs = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,1)
function F() {
if((typeof o.init === 'function') && initArgs.length) {
o.init.apply(this,initArgs)
}
}
F.prototype = o
return new F()
}
MY_GLOBAL = {i: 1, nextId: function(){return this.i++}} // For example
var userB = {
init: function(nameParam) {
this.id = MY_GLOBAL.nextId();
this.name = nameParam;
},
sayHello: function() {
console.log('Hello '+ this.name);
}
};
var bob = Object.build(userB, 'Bob'); // Different from your code
bob.sayHello();
To keep answer updated with ES6/ ES2015
A class is defined like this:
class Person {
constructor(strName, numAge) {
this.name = strName;
this.age = numAge;
}
toString() {
return '((Class::Person) named ' + this.name + ' & of age ' + this.age + ')';
}
}
let objPerson = new Person("Bob",33);
console.log(objPerson.toString());

I think you should read Douglas Crockford's Prototypal Inheritance in JavaScript and Classical Inheritance in JavaScript.
Examples from his page:
Function.prototype.method = function (name, func) {
this.prototype[name] = func;
return this;
};
Effect? It will allow you to add methods in more elegant way:
function Parenizor(value) {
this.setValue(value);
}
Parenizor.method('setValue', function (value) {
this.value = value;
return this;
});
I also recommend his videos:
Advanced JavaScript.
You can find more videos on his page: http://javascript.crockford.com/
In John Reisig book you can find many examples from Douglas Crockfor's website.

Because I will not admit the YUI/Crockford factory plan and because I like to keep things self contained and extensible this is my variation:
function Person(params)
{
this.name = params.name || defaultnamevalue;
this.role = params.role || defaultrolevalue;
if(typeof(this.speak)=='undefined') //guarantees one time prototyping
{
Person.prototype.speak = function() {/* do whatever */};
}
}
var Robert = new Person({name:'Bob'});
where ideally the typeof test is on something like the first method prototyped

If you're going for simple, you can avoid the "new" keyword entirely and just use factory methods. I prefer this, sometimes, because I like using JSON to create objects.
function getSomeObj(var1, var2){
var obj = {
instancevar1: var1,
instancevar2: var2,
someMethod: function(param)
{
//stuff;
}
};
return obj;
}
var myobj = getSomeObj("var1", "var2");
myobj.someMethod("bla");
I'm not sure what the performance hit is for large objects, though.

var Student = (function () {
function Student(firstname, lastname) {
this.firstname = firstname;
this.lastname = lastname;
this.fullname = firstname + " " + lastname;
}
Student.prototype.sayMyName = function () {
return this.fullname;
};
return Student;
}());
var user = new Student("Jane", "User");
var user_fullname = user.sayMyName();
Thats the way TypeScript compiles class with constructor to JavaScript.

The simple way is:
function Foo(a) {
var that=this;
function privateMethod() { .. }
// public methods
that.add = function(b) {
return a + b;
};
that.avg = function(b) {
return that.add(b) / 2; // calling another public method
};
}
var x = new Foo(10);
alert(x.add(2)); // 12
alert(x.avg(20)); // 15
The reason for that is that this can be bound to something else if you give a method as an event handler, so you save the value during instantiation and use it later.
Edit: it's definitely not the best way, just a simple way. I'm waiting for good answers too!

You probably want to create a type by using the Folding Pattern:
// Here is the constructor section.
var myType = function () {
var N = {}, // Enclosed (private) members are here.
X = this; // Exposed (public) members are here.
(function ENCLOSED_FIELDS() {
N.toggle = false;
N.text = '';
}());
(function EXPOSED_FIELDS() {
X.count = 0;
X.numbers = [1, 2, 3];
}());
// The properties below have access to the enclosed fields.
// Careful with functions exposed within the closure of the
// constructor, each new instance will have it's own copy.
(function EXPOSED_PROPERTIES_WITHIN_CONSTRUCTOR() {
Object.defineProperty(X, 'toggle', {
get: function () {
var before = N.toggle;
N.toggle = !N.toggle;
return before;
}
});
Object.defineProperty(X, 'text', {
get: function () {
return N.text;
},
set: function (value) {
N.text = value;
}
});
}());
};
// Here is the prototype section.
(function PROTOTYPE() {
var P = myType.prototype;
(function EXPOSED_PROPERTIES_WITHIN_PROTOTYPE() {
Object.defineProperty(P, 'numberLength', {
get: function () {
return this.numbers.length;
}
});
}());
(function EXPOSED_METHODS() {
P.incrementNumbersByCount = function () {
var i;
for (i = 0; i < this.numbers.length; i++) {
this.numbers[i] += this.count;
}
};
P.tweak = function () {
if (this.toggle) {
this.count++;
}
this.text = 'tweaked';
};
}());
}());
That code will give you a type called myType. It will have internal private fields called toggle and text. It will also have these exposed members: the fields count and numbers; the properties toggle, text and numberLength; the methods incrementNumbersByCount and tweak.
The Folding Pattern is fully detailed here:
Javascript Folding Pattern

Code golf for #liammclennan's answer.
var Animal = function (args) {
return {
name: args.name,
getName: function () {
return this.name; // member access
},
callGetName: function () {
return this.getName(); // method call
}
};
};
var cat = Animal({ name: 'tiger' });
console.log(cat.callGetName());

MooTools (My Object Oriented Tools) is centered on the idea of classes. You can even extend and implement with inheritance.
When mastered, it makes for ridiculously reusable, powerful javascript.

Object Based Classes with Inheritence
var baseObject =
{
// Replication / Constructor function
new : function(){
return Object.create(this);
},
aProperty : null,
aMethod : function(param){
alert("Heres your " + param + "!");
},
}
newObject = baseObject.new();
newObject.aProperty = "Hello";
anotherObject = Object.create(baseObject);
anotherObject.aProperty = "There";
console.log(newObject.aProperty) // "Hello"
console.log(anotherObject.aProperty) // "There"
console.log(baseObject.aProperty) // null
Simple, sweet, and gets 'er done.

Based on the example of Triptych, this might even be simpler:
// Define a class and instantiate it
var ThePerson = new function Person(name, gender) {
// Add class data members
this.name = name;
this.gender = gender;
// Add class methods
this.hello = function () { alert('Hello, this is ' + this.name); }
}("Bob", "M"); // this instantiates the 'new' object
// Use the object
ThePerson.hello(); // alerts "Hello, this is Bob"
This only creates a single object instance, but is still useful if you want to encapsulate a bunch of names for variable and methods in a class. Normally there would not be the "Bob, M" arguments to the constructor, for example if the methods would be calls to a system with its own data, such as a database or network.
I am still too new with JS to see why this does not use the prototype thing.

A base
function Base(kind) {
this.kind = kind;
}
A class
// Shared var
var _greeting;
(function _init() {
Class.prototype = new Base();
Class.prototype.constructor = Class;
Class.prototype.log = function() { _log.apply(this, arguments); }
_greeting = "Good afternoon!";
})();
function Class(name, kind) {
Base.call(this, kind);
this.name = name;
}
// Shared function
function _log() {
console.log(_greeting + " Me name is " + this.name + " and I'm a " + this.kind);
}
Action
var c = new Class("Joe", "Object");
c.log(); // "Good afternoon! Me name is Joe and I'm a Object"

JavaScript is object-oriented, but it's radically different than other OOP languages like Java, C# or C++. Don't try to understand it like that. Throw that old knowledge out and start anew. JavaScript needs a different thinking.
I'd suggest to get a good manual or something on the subject. I myself found ExtJS Tutorials the best for me, although I haven't used the framework before or after reading it. But it does give a good explanation about what is what in JavaScript world. Sorry, it seems that that content has been removed. Here's a link to archive.org copy instead. Works today. :P

//new way using this and new
function Persons(name) {
this.name = name;
this.greeting = function() {
alert('Hi! I\'m ' + this.name + '.');
};
}
var gee=new Persons("gee");
gee.greeting();
var gray=new Persons("gray");
gray.greeting();
//old way
function createPerson(name){
var obj={};
obj.name=name;
obj.greeting = function(){
console.log("hello I am"+obj.name);
};
return obj;
}
var gita=createPerson('Gita');
gita.greeting();

Object.create vs new

The following code works when I create my object with the constructor but when I do object.Create it doesn't get initialized properly. functionName is not a function. I have two questions. Why isn't the object.create working ?
How would I organize my code within the same Calculator Function so I could use both new and object.create ?
I know I can add the methods to Calculator.prototype and do Object.create but I was wondering if my code can be changed within the current structure to allow for both ?
//var calc = new Calculator();
var calc = Object.create(Calculator);
function Calculator(){
this.array = [];
this.results = 0;
this.calculate = function(){
try{
results = eval(this.array.join(''));
this.array = [results];
return results;
}
catch(error){
alert('Wrong arguments provided');
return this.array.join('');
}
},
this.isNumber = function(str){
return !isNaN(parseFloat(str)) && isFinite(str);
},
this.addToOperationsArray = function(str){
if (this.array.length <= 0 && !this.isNumber(str)){ // Don't add operand before any number.
return;
}
this.array.push(str);
},
this.clearEverything = function(){
this.array = [];
}
}

There is no constructor invocation with Object.create.
You can get similar results in a multitude of ways. See if something along these lines helps you:
function Calculator() {
this.array = [];
this.results = 0;
}
Calculator.prototype = {
calculate: function() {
try {
results = eval(this.array.join(''));
this.array = [results];
return results;
} catch (error) {
alert('Wrong arguments provided');
return this.array.join('');
}
},
isNumber: function(str) {
return !isNaN(parseFloat(str)) && isFinite(str);
},
addToOperationsArray: function(str) {
if (this.array.length <= 0 && !this.isNumber(str)) { // Don't add operand before any number.
return;
}
this.array.push(str);
},
clearEverything: function() {
this.array = [];
}
};
// create using 'new'
var calc1 = new Calculator();
// create using 'Object.create'
// the constructor function is not called
// but properties of returned object can be passed to the function, and
// you can control the enumerable, writable, configurable properties
var calc2 = Object.create(Calculator.prototype, {
'array': {
value: [],
enumerable: true
},
'results': {
value: 0,
enumerable: true
}
});
// create using 'Object.create'
// and invoke the constructor with 'call',
// explicitly setting 'this'
var calc3 = Object.create(Calculator.prototype);
Calculator.call(calc3);
console.log(calc1); // Calculator {array: Array[0], results: 0}
console.log(calc2); // Object {array: Array[0], results: 0}
console.log(calc3); // Object {array: Array[0], results: 0}

Object.create() //This for inherit the parent object
what you want is to instantiate the object, you can do it like this:
var calc = new Calculator() //This will inherit it's prototype and execute the constructor for you.
Object.create works with new side by side not against. Just to make it more clear about prototype inheritance and instantiate, let's take step back, I'll provide you with example:
// CREATE || Object.create for inheritence by prototyping
var Thing = function (name) {
this.type = "universal";
this.name = name;
}
Thing.prototype = {
say: function(something) {
console.log(this.name + " say something " + something);
},
check_soul: function (){
console.log(this.name + " soul is " + this.type);
}
}
// constructor for God
var God = function(name){
Thing.call(this, name); // Execute parent constructor also with current context
this.type = "pure"; // overwrite the type
}
God.prototype = Object.create(Thing.prototype); // inherit God from Thing
God.prototype.constructor = God; // implement the constructor
// constructor for Demon
var Demon = function(name){
Thing.call(this, name);
this.type = "corrupted";
}
Demon.prototype = Object.create(Thing.prototype, {
say: {
value: function(something){ // Overwrite Thing prototype for say
console.info(this.name + " say: Let's destory " + something + "!");
}}
}); // inherit Demon from Thing
Demon.prototype.constructor = Demon;
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// NEW || new for instantiation
var anonymous = new Thing("Anonymous");
anonymous.check_soul();
var god = new God("Zeus");
god.check_soul();
god.say("omni");
var demon = new Demon("Lucifer");
demon.check_soul();
demon.say("human");
Example above is too verbose? (ES2015 here to help) note that this can only apply on node v6 and above.
// CREATE || Object.create for inheritence by prototyping
'use strict';
class Thing {
constructor (name){
this.type = "universal";
this.name = name;
}
say(something) {
console.log(this.name + " say something " + something);
}
check_soul() {
console.log(this.name + " soul is " + this.type);
}
}
class God extends Thing { // inherit God from Thing and implement the constructor
constructor (name){
super(name); // Execute parent constructor also with current context
this.type = "pure"; // overwrite the type
}
}
class Demon extends Thing { // inherit Demon from Thing and implement the constructor
constructor (name){
super(name); // Execute parent constructor also with current context
this.type = "corrupted"; // overwrite the type
}
say(something) { // Overwrite Thing prototype for say
console.info(this.name + " say: Let's destory " + something + "!");
}
}
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// NEW || new for instantiation
var anonymous = new Thing("Anonymous");
anonymous.check_soul();
var god = new God("Zeus");
god.check_soul();
god.say("omni");
var demon = new Demon("Lucifer");
demon.check_soul();
demon.say("human");

a little bit late, may be you have noticed, but in your implementation theres is at least one side effect in the code Calculator.prototype.constructor this will point to Object.prototype.constructor instead of the Calculator constructor, what are you doing is overwriting every property of the prototype chain, it is best practice to use dot notation to add new properties Calculator.prototype.method = () => { // some code }

JavaScript class notation and the 'this' keyword

I'm aware there have been a few other questions on this topic, but none of them seem to give a conclusive answer.
I'm building a HTML/CSS/JS mobile app, and have been trying the following style of notation to define some classes:
Style A
var Thing = (function ()
{
var _instance;
var _firstName;
var _lastName;
function Thing(firstName, lastName)
{
_instance = this;
_firstName = firstName;
_lastName = lastName;
}
Thing.prototype.getMyName = function ()
{
return _firstName + " " + _lastName;
}
Thing.prototype.speak = function ()
{
return ("My name is " + _instance.getMyName());
}
return Thing;
}());
The advantages of this are:
Member variables are encapsulated and can be referred to directly (e.g. without the this prefix).
I can use the _instance variable and therefore avoid ambiguity around the identity of this.
The notation is reasonably clean and readable.
I also gave the following alternatives a try:
Style B
function Thing(firstName, lastName)
{
this._firstName = firstName;
this._lastName = lastName;
}
Thing.prototype.getMyName = function()
{
return this._firstName + " " + this._lastName;
};
Thing.prototype.speak = function()
{
return "My name is " + this.getMyName();
};
Style C
class Thing
{
constructor (firstName, lastName)
{
this._firstName = firstName;
this._lastName = lastName;
}
getMyName ()
{
return this._firstName + " " + this._lastName;
}
speak ()
{
return ("My name is " + this.getMyName());
}
}
But despite their advantages, I have found B and C difficult to work with because of problems associated with the this keyword; that is, depending on the context of the caller this can refer to different things within the class methods. Furthermore in both these cases, using an _instance variable as I have in A is not possible because all members need to prefixed with this..
However, as pointed out in the comments, Style A does not work when multiple instances of the class are created.
What's the best way to write such classes but avoid problems with this?

If you want to avoid prototype methods with late-bound this at all costs, you can use the following style in ES6:
class Thing {
constructor(firstName, lastName) {
this.getMyName = () => firstName + " " + lastName;
this.speak = () => "My name is " + this.getMyName();
}
}
(you can also use a function declaration, but the class has the advantage that it prevents calls without new automatically)

You are creating a closure and then sharing the closure among instantiated objects by the Thingconstructor. It will not work as intended.
var elton = new Thing("Elton", "Johnnavartangula");
elton.getMyName(); // <- "Elton Johnnavartangula"
var fenry = new Thing("Fenry", "Honda");
elton.speak(); // <- "My name is Fenry Honda"
sharing privates among instantiated objects is another topic and can be done in several ways like in one of my previous answer or like
function Source(){
var priv = "secret";
return {gp : function(){return priv},
sp : function(v){priv = v}
}
}
sharedProto = Source(); // priv is now under closure to be shared
var p1 = Object.create(sharedProto); // sharedProto becomes o1.__proto__
var p2 = Object.create(sharedProto); // sharedProto becomes o2.__proto__

How to add methods to a (JSON) object's prototype?

Let's say I receive some JSON object from my server, e.g. some data for a Person object:
{firstName: "Bjarne", lastName: "Fisk"}
Now, I want some methods on top of those data, e.g. for calculating the fullName:
fullName: function() { return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName; }
So that I can
var personData = {firstName: "Bjarne", lastName: "Fisk"};
var person = PROFIT(personData);
person.fullName(); // => "Bjarne Fisk"
What I basically would want to do here, is to add a method to the object's prototype. The fullName() method is general, so should not be added to the data object itself. Like..:
personData.fullName = function() { return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName; }
... would cause a lot of redundancy; and arguably "pollute" the data object.
What is the current best-practice way of adding such methods to a simple data object?
EDIT:
Slightly off topic, but if the problem above can be solved, it would be possible to do some nice pseudo-pattern matching like this:
if ( p = Person(data) ) {
console.log(p.fullName());
} else if ( d = Dog(data) ) {
console.log("I'm a dog lol. Hear me bark: "+d.bark());
} else {
throw new Exception("Shitty object");
}
Person and Dog will add the methods if the data object has the right attributes. If not, return falsy (ie. data does not match/conform).
BONUS QUESTION: Does anyone know of a library that either uses or enables this (ie makes it easy)? Is it already a javascript pattern? If so, what is it called; and do you have a link that elaborates? Thanks :)

Assuming your Object comes from some JSON library that parses the server output to generate an Object, it will not in general have anything particular in its prototype ; and two objects generated for different server responses will not share a prototype chain (besides Object.prototype, of course ;) )
If you control all the places where a "Person" is created from JSON, you could do things the other way round : create an "empty" Person object (with a method like fullName in its prototype), and extend it with the object generated from the JSON (using $.extend, _.extend, or something similar).
var p = { first : "John", last : "Doe"};
function Person(data) {
_.extend(this, data);
}
Person.prototype.fullName = function() {
return this.first + " " + this.last;
}
console.debug(new Person(p).fullName());

There is another possibility here. JSON.parse accepts a second parameter, which is a function used to revive the objects encountered, from the leaf nodes out to the root node. So if you can recognize your types based on their intrinsic properties, you can construct them in a reviver function. Here's a very simple example of doing so:
var MultiReviver = function(types) {
// todo: error checking: types must be an array, and each element
// must have appropriate `test` and `deserialize` functions
return function(key, value) {
var type;
for (var i = 0; i < types.length; i++) {
type = types[i];
if (type.test(value)) {
return type.deserialize(value);
}
}
return value;
};
};
var Person = function(first, last) {
this.firstName = first;
this.lastName = last;
};
Person.prototype.fullName = function() {
return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;
};
Person.prototype.toString = function() {return "Person: " + this.fullName();};
Person.test = function(value) {
return typeof value.firstName == "string" &&
typeof value.lastName == "string";
};
Person.deserialize = function(obj) {
return new Person(obj.firstName, obj.lastName);
};
var Dog = function(breed, name) {
this.breed = breed;
this.name = name;
}
Dog.prototype.species = "canine";
Dog.prototype.toString = function() {
return this.breed + " named " + this.name;
};
Dog.test = function(value) {return value.species === "canine";};
Dog.deserialize = function(obj) {return new Dog(obj.breed, obj.name);};
var reviver = new MultiReviver([Person, Dog]);
var text = '[{"firstName": "John", "lastName": "Doe"},' +
'{"firstName": "Jane", "lastName": "Doe"},' +
'{"firstName": "Junior", "lastName": "Doe"},' +
'{"species": "canine", "breed": "Poodle", "name": "Puzzle"},' +
'{"species": "canine", "breed": "Wolfhound", "name": "BJ"}]';
var family = JSON.parse(text, reviver)
family.join("\n");
// Person: John Doe
// Person: Jane Doe
// Person: Junior Doe
// Poodle named Puzzle
// Wolfhound named BJ
This depends on you being able to unambiguously recognizing your types. For instance, if there were some other type, even a subtype of Person, which also had firstName and lastName properties, this would not work. But it might cover some needs.

If you're dealing with plain JSON data then the prototype of each person object would simply be Object.prototype. In order to make it into an object with a prototype of Person.prototype you'd first of all need a Person constructor and prototype (assuming you're doing Javascript OOP in the traditional way):
function Person() {
this.firstName = null;
this.lastName = null;
}
Person.prototype.fullName = function() { return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName; }
Then you'd need a way to turn a plain object into a Person object, e.g. if you had a function called mixin which simply copied all properties from one object to another, you could do this:
//example JSON object
var jsonPerson = {firstName: "Bjarne", lastName: "Fisk"};
var person = new Person();
mixin(person, jsonPerson);
This is just one way of solving the problem but should hopefully give you some ideas.
Update: Now that Object.assign() is available in modern browsers, you could use that instead of writing your own mixin function. There's also a shim to make Object.assign() work on older browsers; see https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object/assign#Polyfill.

You should probably not do this.
JSON allows you to serialize a state, not a type. So in your use case, you should do something like this :
var Person = function ( data ) {
if ( data ) {
this.firstName = data.firstName;
this.lastName = data.lastName;
}
};
Person.prototype.fullName = function ( ) {
return this.firstName + ' ' + this.lastName;
};
//
var input = '{"firstName":"john", "lastName":"Doe"}';
var myData = JSON.parse( input );
var person = new Person( myData );

In other words you want to change prototype (a.k.a. class) of existing object.
Technically you can do it this way:
var Person = {
function fullName() { return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName; }
};
// that is your PROFIT function body:
personData.__proto__ = Person ;
After that if you will get true on personData instanceof Person

Use the new-ish Object.setPrototypeOf(). (It is supported by IE11 and all the other browsers now.)
You could create a class/prototype that included the methods you want, such as your fullName(), and then
Object.setPrototypeOf( personData, Person.prototype );
As the warning (on MDN page linked above) suggests, this function is not to be used lightly, but that makes sense when you are changing the prototype of an existing object, and that is what you seem to be after.

I don't think it is common to transport methods with data, but it seems like a great idea.
This project allows you to encode the functions along with your data, but it is not considered standard, and requires decoding with the same library of course.
https://github.com/josipk/json-plus

Anonymous objects don't have a prototype. Why not just have this:
function fullName(obj) {
return obj.firstName + ' ' + obj.lastName;
}
fullName(person);
If you absolutely must use a method call instead of a function call, you can always do something similar, but with an object.
var Person = function (person) { this.person = person; }
Person.prototype.fullName = function () {
return this.person.firstName + ' ' + this.person.lastName;
}
var person = new Person(personData);
person.fullName();

You don't need to use prototypes in order to bind a custom method in your barebone object.
Here you have an elegant example that don't pollute your code avoiding redundant code
var myobj = {
title: 'example',
assets:
{
resources: ['zero', 'one', 'two']
}
}
var myfunc = function(index)
{
console.log(this.resources[index]);
}
myobj.assets.giveme = myfunc
myobj.assets.giveme(1);
Example available in https://jsfiddle.net/bmde6L0r/