Ok, so I'm a complete newbie to OOP in Javascript, apparently. I thought I understood it, but it appears I only know a small portion. Anyway, what I'm trying to do is setup an object to store and return data from an XML input by using a fairly simple string to retrieve data. I'd like to retrieve the data with a string similar to reader.getItem().getSubItem() or something like that.
Below is an example of what I attempted, but I get the error anonymous is not a function each time I try to do a call to fr.getType().isTexture() so obviously, I need to change something.
//Create the object by passing an XML element containing sub-elements
var fr = new FeatureReader(test.child(i));
alert(fr.getName()); //returns the object's name
alert(fr.getType().isTexture()); //"anonymous is not a function" error
function FeatureReader(feature) {
var feat = feature;
this.getName = function() {
return feat.name;
};
this.getType = new function() {
this.isTexture = new function() {
if (feat.type.texture == "yes") {
return true;
}
return false;
};
this.isModel = new function() {
if (feat.type.model == "yes") {
return true;
}
return false;
};
};
}
Now, obviously I could just remove the surrounding this.getType = function() {} around the this.isTexture and this.isModel to get my data, but for the sake of learning something, I'd like to see how it is recommended that I set this object up to get the returned values using a string similar to what I mentioned in the first and second paragraphs.
When you do this:
this.isTexture = new function() {
if (feat.type.texture == "yes") {
return true;
}
return false;
};
you're setting the "isTexture" property to the object constructed, not to that function. If you drop the new keyword from the statement, you'll be setting "isTexture" to be a function.
An expression of the form new <some-function> evaluates to an object, in other words.
edit — your "getType" property will also be an object, for the same reason. However, I think this would work:
alert( fr.getType.isTexture() );
Also note that your if statement can be simplified:
return feat.type.texture == "yes";
What you can do is simply assign an object instead of using new:
function FeatureReader(feature) {
var feat = feature;
this.getName = function() {
return feat.name;
};
this.getType = {
isTexture: function() {
return feat.type.texture == "yes";
},
isModel: function() {
return feat.type.model == "yes";
}
};
}
Then use the method like:
instance.getType.isTexture()
Note that you don't need to return true or false, as returning an expression that evaluates to boolean like a == b
returns a boolean value.
Ok, difficult to understand from the title only. Here is an example. I want a function to refer to a variable that is "injected" automagically, ie:
function abc() {
console.log(myVariable);
}
I have tried with:
with({myVariable: "value"}) { abc() }
but this doesn't work unless abc is declared within the with block, ie:
with({myVariable: "value"}) {
function abc() {
console.log(myVariable);
}
abc(); // This will work
}
So the last piece will work, but is it possible to fake the with statement, or do I have to force the developers to declare their function calls in a with statement?
Basically the call I want to do is:
doSomething({myVariable: "value"}, function() {
console.log(myVariable);
});
Ofcourse, I am aware I could pass this is a one parameter object, but that is not what I am trying to do:
doSomething({myVariable: "value"}, function(M) {
console.log(M.myVariable);
});
Further more, I am trying to avoid using eval:
with({myVariable: "value"}) {
eval(abc.toString())(); // Will also work
}
Is this not supported at at all beyond eval in Javascript?
JavaScript does not provide any straightforward way to achieve the syntax you're looking for. The only way to inject a variable into a Lexical Environment is by using eval (or the very similar Function constructor). Some of the answers to this question suggest this. Some other answers suggest using global variables as a workaround. Each of those solutions have their own caveats, though.
Other than that, your only option is to use a different syntax. The closest you can get to your original syntax is passing a parameter from doSomething to the callback, as Aadit M Shah suggested. Yes, I am aware you said you don't want to do that, but it's either that or an ugly hack...
Original answer (written when I didn't fully understand the question)
Maybe what you're looking for is a closure? Something like this:
var myVariable = "value";
function doSomething() {
console.log(myVariable);
};
doSomething(); // logs "value"
Or maybe this?
function createClosure(myVariable) {
return function() {
console.log(myVariable);
};
}
var closure = createClosure("value");
closure(); // logs "value"
Or even:
var closure = function(myVariable) {
return function() {
console.log(myVariable);
};
}("value");
closure(); // logs "value"
I asked a similar question a long time ago: Is it possible to achieve dynamic scoping in JavaScript without resorting to eval?
The short answer is no, you can't achieve dynamic scoping without resorting to eval. The long answer is, you don't need to.
JavaScript doesn't support dynamic scoping, but that's not an issue because you can make your free variables parameters of the function that they belong to.
In my humble opinion this is the best solution:
function doSomething(context, callback) {
callback(context);
}
doSomething({myVariable: "value"}, function(M) {
console.log(M.myVariable);
});
However since you don't want to write a formal parameter, the next best thing is to use this instead:
function doSomething(context, callback) {
callback.call(context);
}
doSomething({myVariable: "value"}, function() {
console.log(this.myVariable);
});
Another option would be to manipulate the formal parameter list of the program as follows:
function inject(func, properties) {
var args = [], params = [];
for (var property in properties) {
if (properties.hasOwnProperty(property)) {
args.push(properties[property]);
params.push(property);
}
}
return Function.apply(null, params.concat("return " + func.toString()))
.apply(null, args);
}
Now we can use this inject method to inject properties into a function as follows:
function doSomething(context, callback) {
var func = inject(callback, context);
func();
}
doSomething({myVariable: "value"}, function() {
console.log(myVariable);
});
See the demo: http://jsfiddle.net/sDKga/1/
Note: The inject function will create an entirely new function which will not have the same lexical scope as the original function. Hence functions with free variables and partially applied functions will not work as expected. Only use inject with normal functions.
The Function constructor is kind of like eval but it's much safer. Of course I would advise you to simply use a formal parameter or this instead. However the design decision is your choice.
Try:
function doSomething(vars, fun) {
for (var key in vars) { // set the variables in vars
window[key] = vars[key];
}
fun.call(); // call function
for (var key in vars) { // remove the variables again. this will allow only the function to use it
delete window[key];
}
}
Set global variables that can then be received inside of fun
The JSFiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/shawn31313/MbAMQ/
Warning: disgusting code ahead
function callWithContext(func, context, args) {
var oldProperties = {};
for(var n in context) {
if(context.hasOwnProperty(n)) {
var oldProperty = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(self, n);
oldProperties[n] = oldProperty;
(function(n) {
Object.defineProperty(self, n, {
get: function() {
if(arguments.callee.caller === func) {
return context[n];
}
if(!oldProperty) {
return;
}
if(oldProperty.get) {
return oldProperty.get.apply(this, arguments);
}
return oldProperty.value;
},
set: function(value) {
if(arguments.callee.caller === func) {
context[n] = value;
}
if(!oldProperty) {
return;
}
if(oldProperty.set) {
return oldProperty.get.apply(this, arguments);
} else if(!oldProperty.writable) {
var fakeObject = {};
Object.defineProperty(fakeObject, n, {value: null, writable: false});
fakeObject[n] = value; // Kind of stupid, but…
return;
}
oldProperty.value = value;
}
});
})(n);
}
}
func.apply(this, args);
for(var n in context) {
if(context.hasOwnProperty(n)) {
if(oldProperties[n]) {
Object.defineProperty(self, n, oldProperties[n]);
} else {
delete self[n];
}
}
}
}
This is vomitously horrendous, by the way; don’t use it. But ew, it actually works.
i don't see why you can't just pass the info in or define a single global, but i think that would be best.
that said, i am working on a Module maker/runner that allows sloppy/dangerous code to execute without interference to the host environment. that provides the opportunity to re-define variables, which can be passed as an object.
this does use eval (Function() technically) but it can run in "use strict", so it's not too crazy/clever.
it doesn't leave behind artifacts.
it also won't let globals get hurt.
it's still a work in progress, and i need to iron out a couple minor details before i vouch for security, so don't use it for fort knox or anything, but it's working and stable enough to perform the operation asked for.
tested in ch28, FF22, IE10:
function Module(strCode, blnPreventExtensions, objWhitelist, objExtend) {
var __proto__=self.__proto__, pbu=self.__proto__, str=strCode, om=[].map, wasFN=false,
params = {Object:1}, fnScrubber, natives= [ Object, Array, RegExp, String, Boolean, Date] ,
nativeSlots = [],
preamble = "'use strict';" ,
inherited="__defineGetter__,__defineSetter__,__proto__,valueOf,constructor,__lookupGetter__,__lookupSetter__",
late = inherited +
Object.getOwnPropertyNames(__proto__||{}) + Object.getOwnPropertyNames(window);
late.split(",").sort().map(function(a) {
this[a] = 1;
}, params);
preamble+=";var "+inherited+";";
//turn functions into strings, but note that a function was passed
if(str.call){wasFN=true; str=String(str); delete params.Object; }
objExtend=objExtend||{};
var vals=Object.keys(objExtend).map(function(k){ return objExtend[k]; })
// build a usable clone of Object for all the new OOP methods it provides:
var fakeOb=Object.bind();
(Object.getOwnPropertyNames(Object)||Object.keys(Object)).map(function(a){
if(Object[a] && Object[a].bind){this[a]=Object[a].bind(Object); } return this;
},fakeOb)[0];
//allow "eval" and "arguments" since strict throws if you formalize them and eval is now presumed safe.
delete params.eval;
delete params.arguments;
params.hasOwnProperty=undefined;
params.toString=undefined;
params['__proto__']={};
__proto__=null;
Object.keys(objWhitelist||{}).map(function ripper(a,b){
b=this[a];
if(typeof b!=='object'){
delete this[a];
}
}, params);
// var ok=Object.keys.bind(Object);
// prevent new prototype methods from being added to native constructors:
if (blnPreventExtensions) {
natives.forEach(function(con, i) {
var proto=con.prototype;
Object.getOwnPropertyNames(proto).map(function(prop){
if(proto[prop] && proto[prop].bind ){ this[prop]=proto[prop];}
}, nativeSlots[i] = {});
delete con.constructor;
delete con.prototype.constructor;
}); //end con map()
} /* end if(blnPreventExtensions) */
//white-list harmless math utils and prevent hijacking:
delete params.Math;
if(blnPreventExtensions){Object.freeze(Math);}
//prevent literal constructors from getting Function ref (eg: [].constructor.constructor, /./.constructor.constructor, etc...):
Function.prototype.constructor = null;
try {
//generate a private wrapper function to evaluate code:
var response = Function(
Object.keys(objExtend) + (vals.length?",":"") +
Object.keys(params).filter(/./.test, /^[\w\$]+$/), // localize most globals
preamble + " return " + str.trim() // cram code into a function body with global-blocking formal parameters
);
// call it with a blank this object and only user-supplied arguments:
if (blnPreventExtensions) { //( user-land code must run inside here to be secure)
response = response.apply({}, vals.concat(fakeOb)).apply({}, [].slice.call(arguments,4) );
}else{
response = response.apply({}, vals.concat(fakeOb));
}
} catch (y) {
response = y + "!!";
} /* end try/catch */
if (blnPreventExtensions) {
om.call(natives, function(con, i) {
var pro=con.prototype;
//remove all proto methods for this con to censor any additions made by unsafe code:
Object.getOwnPropertyNames(pro).map(function(a){ try{delete pro[a];}catch(y){}});
//restore all original props from the backup:
var bu = nativeSlots[i];
om.call(Object.keys(bu), function(prop){ con.prototype[prop]=bu[prop]; }, bu);
}); //end con map()
} /* end if(blnPreventExtensions) */
//restore hidden Function constructor property:
Function.prototype.constructor = Function;
return response;
} /* end Module() */
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function doSomething(context, fn){
console.log(myVariable);
return myVariable;
}
//use 1:
alert( Module(doSomething, true, {console:1}, {myVariable: "value123"} ) );// immed
//use2:
var fn=Module(doSomething, false, {console:1}, {myVariable: "value123"} );// as function
alert(fn);
alert(fn());
again, i think OP would be best off not doing things later than need be, but for the sake of comprehensiveness and inspiration i'm putting this out there in good faith.
You need to use call() to construct a context, as in:
var f=function(){
console.log(this.foo);
};
f.call({foo:'bar'})
will print "bar"
You can avoid using eval() in calling the function, if you are willing to use it in doSomething():
function abc() {
console.log(myVariable);
}
// Prints "value"
callWith({ myVariable: "value" }, abc);
function callWith(context, func) {
for(var i in context) eval('var ' + i + ' = context[i];');
eval('(' + func.toString() + ')')();
}
Have a look at this post.
Have a look at goog.partial, scroll a little bit up to see the description of what it does:
Here is an implementation of it:
var b = goog.partial(alert, 'Hello world!');
b();//alerts "Hello world!"
In the example it passes the function alert with parameter "Hello world!" but you can pass it your own function with multiple parameters.
This allows you to create a variable that points to a function that is always called with a certain paramater. To use parameters in a function that are not named you can use arguments:
function test(){
console.log(arguments);//["hello","world"]
}
test("hello","world");
Instead of just saying:
var thing = timeConsumingMethod();
I have my variable hidden in a method like so:
function _thing() {
var thing = timeConsumingMethod() );
return thing;
}
It gets called a number of times. I'm concerned that I'm made things very inefficient. I assume it calls timeConsumingMethod every time (which is unneeded, it's always the same) I call "_thing()" to get my variable.
How do I manage these types of variables in simple efficient way? Is something like this a solution?:
function _thing() {
return _thing.thing
}
_thing.thing = timeConsumingMethod();
Basically, i want the protection of a function and to (ideally0 access my variable using _thing() or something similar, but I only want timeConsumingMethod to run once.
edit: tried this, doesn't work either:
function _thingy() {
var thing = timeConsumingMethod();
}
_thingy.test = function() {
return( _thingy.thing)
}
Why not just:
function SomethingTimeConsuming() { ... }
function LazyThing(sourceFunction) {
this.sourceFunction = sourceFunction;
this.value = null;
this.Value = function() {
if ( this.value == null) this.value = sourceFunction();
return this.value;
}
}
JSFiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/YSAjJ/
Output:
[14:20:20.079] Calling time-consuming function *(1 time)
In trying to make my Javascript unobtrusive, I'm using onLoads to add functionality to <input>s and such. With Dojo, this looks something like:
var coolInput = dojo.byId('cool_input');
if(coolInput) {
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
coolInput.onkeyup = function() { ... };
});
}
Or, approximately equivalently:
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
dojo.forEach(dojo.query('#cool_input'), function(elt) {
elt.onkeyup = function() { ... };
});
});
Has anyone written an implementation of Ruby's andand so that I could do the following?
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
// the input's onkeyup is set iff the input exists
dojo.byId('cool_input').andand().onkeyup = function() { ... };
});
or
dojo.byId('cool_input').andand(function(elt) {
// this function gets called with elt = the input iff it exists
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
elt.onkeyup = function() { ... };
});
});
I don't know Dojo, but shouldn't your first example read
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
var coolInput = dojo.byId('cool_input');
if(coolInput)
coolInput.onkeyup = function() { ... };
});
Otherwise, you might end up trying to access the element before the DOM has been built.
Back to your question: In JavaScript, I'd implement andand() as
function andand(obj, func, args) {
return obj && func.apply(obj, args || []);
}
Your example could then be written as
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
andand(dojo.byId('cool_input'), function() {
this.onkeyup = function() { ... };
});
});
which isn't really that much shorter than using the explicit if statement - so why bother?
The exact syntax you want is not possible in JavaScript. The way JavaScript executes would need to change in a pretty fundamental fashion. For example:
var name = getUserById(id).andand().name;
// ^
// |-------------------------------
// if getUserById returns null, execution MUST stop here |
// otherwise, you'll get a "null is not an object" exception
However, JavaScript doesn't work that way. It simply doesn't.
The following line performs almost exactly what you want.
var name = (var user = getUserById(id)) ? user.name : null;
But readability won't scale to larger examples. For example:
// this is what you want to see
var initial = getUserById(id).andand().name.andand()[0];
// this is the best that JavaScript can do
var initial = (var name = (var user = getUserById(id)) ? user.name : null) ? name[0] : null;
And there is the side-effect of those unnecessary variables. I use those variables to avoid the double lookup. The variables are mucking up the context, and if that's a huge deal, you can use anonymous functions:
var name = (function() {return (var user = getUserById(id)) ? user.name : null;})();
Now, the user variable is cleaned-up properly, and everybody's happy. But wow! what a lot of typing! :)
You want dojo.behavior.
dojo.behavior.add({
'#cool_input': {
onKeyUp: function(evt) { ... }
}
});
How about something like this:
function andand(elt, f) {
if (elt)
return f(elt);
return null;
}
Call like this:
andand(dojo.byId('cool_input'), function(elt) {
// this function gets called with elt = the input iff it exists
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
elt.onkeyup = function() { ... };
});
});
As far as I know there isn't a built-in JavaScript function that has that same functionality. I think the best solution though is to query by class instead of id and use dojo.forEach(...) as you will be guaranteed a non-null element in the forEach closure.
You could always use the JavaScript equivalent:
dojo.byId('cool_input') && dojo.byId('cool_input').whateverYouWantToDo(...);
I've never used dojo, but most javascript frameworks (when dealing with the DOM) return the calling element when a method is called from the element object (poor wording, sorry). So andand() would be implicit.
dojo.addOnLoad(function() {
dojo.byId('cool_input').onkeyup(function(evt) { /*event handler code*/
});
});
For a list:
Array.prototype.andand = function(property, fn) {
if (this.filter(property).length > 0) this.map(fn);
}
I know I could do this with closures (var self = this) if object was a function:
click here
<script type="text/javascript">
var object = {
y : 1,
handle_click : function (e) {
alert('handling click');
//want to access y here
return false;
},
load : function () {
document.getElementById('x').onclick = this.handle_click;
}
};
object.load();
</script>
The simplest way to bind the call to handle_click to the object it is defined in would be something like this:
var self=this;
document.getElementById('x').onclick =
function(e) { return self.handle_click(e) };
If you need to pass in parameters or want to make the code look cleaner (for instance, if you're setting up a lot of similar event handlers), you could use a currying technique to achieve the same:
bind : function(fn)
{
var self = this;
// copy arguments into local array
var args = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments, 0);
// returned function replaces first argument with event arg,
// calls fn with composite arguments
return function(e) { args[0] = e; return fn.apply(self, args); };
},
...
document.getElementById('x').onclick = this.bind(this.handle_click,
"this parameter is passed to handle_click()",
"as is this one");
So, the event handler part wires up just fine (I tested it myself) but, as your comment indicates, you have no access to the "y" property of the object you just defined.
This works:
var object = {
y : 1,
handle_click : function (e) {
alert('handling click');
//want to access y here
alert(this.y);
return false;
},
load : function () {
var that = this;
document.getElementById('x').onclick = function(e) {
that.handle_click(e); // pass-through the event object
};
}
};
object.load();
There are other ways of doing this too, but this works.
I see how to do it with Jason's latest one. Any way to do it without the anonymous function?
We can directly pass an object with a handler method thanks to AddEventListener, and you will have access to its attributes:
http://www.thecssninja.com/javascript/handleevent
Hope this will help those who, like me, will look for this topic some years after!