I am messing with Javascript code that needs to have variable dynamic part.
I am trying to substitute this piece of Javascript code:
var data = document.getElementById('IDofSomeHiddenField').value;
var print = document.getElementById('IDofOutputField');
print.value = data;
with something like:
var encapsulatedData = "var data = document.getElementById('IDofSomeHiddenField').value;";
var encapsulatedPrint = "var print = document.getElementById('IDofOutputField');";
so that when I use somewhere in Javascript code:
encapsulatedData;
encapsulatedPrint;
this will work:
print.value = data;
But it does not work.
Is there a way how to declare:
var encapsulatedData
var encapsulatedPrint
in similar manner like I wrote above, so that:
print.value = data;
works?
Do you mean magically create global variables?
function encapsulatedData() {
window.data = document.getElementById('IDofSomeHiddenField').value;
}
function encapsulatedPrint() {
window.print = document.getElementById('IDofOutputField');
}
encapsulatedData();
encapsulatedPrint();
print.value = data;
This is not very sanitary code, and what you want is probably not what you should be doing. Could you step back and say what your goal is, rather than the means to that goal? I suspect what you really want to be using are closures or returning first-class functions for delayed evaluation.
For example:
function makePrinter(id) {
var outputfield = document.getElementById(id);
return function(value) {
outputfield.value = value;
}
}
function getValue(id) {
return document.getElementById('IDofSomeHiddenField').value;
}
var data = getValue('IDofOutputField');
var print = makePrinter('IDofOutputField');
print(data);
You have a syntax error I think. You're not closing the parentheses on the first and second lines.
var data = document.getElementById('IDofSomeHiddenField').value;
var print = document.getElementById('IDofOutputField');
print.value = data;
It is also bad form to use JS evaluation like you're attempting to do. If anything you really want to create a function for each of the page elements that returns the page element. ECMAScript 5 has properties which I think is sort of what you're looking for with what you're trying to do but that isn't how ECMAScript 3 JS can work.
This is my first SO post. I'm eternally grateful for the information this community has and shares. Thanks.
I'm coming from Flash and I'm not even sure what the right question to ask is. All I can do is lay out my code example and then explain what I am trying to do. I do not fully grasp the terms that I am trying to illustrate here so I feel it is best to omit them.
The code below is incomplete as it only includes the parts that I feel are relevant to my question. Please refer to the comments in my code to see my issue.
EDIT: Full source file here: [link removed] The console.log outputs the issue in question.
<script type="text/javascript">
var a_chests = [];
var chestID = 0;
//I'm creating a plugin to be able to make multiple instances
(function ($) {
$.fn.chestPlugin = function (option) {
//This function creates a master sprite object which many of my sprites will use
//I've simplified the features to get to the heart of my question
var DHTMLSprite = function (params) {
var ident = params.ident,
var that = {
getID: function(){
return ident;
}
};
return that;
};
//ChestSprite inherits DHTMLSprites properties and then adds a few of its own
var chestSprite = function(params) {
var ident = params.ident,
that = DHTMLSprite(params);
that.reveal=function(){
console.log(ident);
};
return that;
};
//Here I create multiple instances of the chests
var treasure = function ( $drawTarget,chests) {
for (i=0;i<chests;i++){
var cs = chestSprite({
ident: "chest"+chestID
})
console.log(cs.reveal())
//This logs "chest0", "chest1", "chest2" as the for loop executes
//This behavior is correct and/or expected!
a_chests[chestID]={id:i,ob:cs};
//I add a reference to the new chestSprite for later
chestID++;
//increment the chestID;
}
console.log(a_chests[1].ob.reveal());
//This always logs "chest2" (the last chest that is created), even though
//the logs in the for loop were correct. It seems it is referencing the
//DHTML object (since the DHTMLSprite function returns that;) and since
//there is no reference to which chest I need, it passes the last one.
//Is there any way I can pass a reference to DHTMLSprite in order to retain
//the reference to the three individual chests that are created?
//Is there another solution altogether? Thanks!!!
};
//The rest of the code.
return this.each(function () {
var $drawTarget = $(this);
treasure($drawTarget,3);
});
};
})(jQuery);
</script>
You forgot to declare `that' as a local variable, so it's being overwritten on each iteration.
var chestSprite = function(params) {
var that;
var animInterval;
...
When you write:
a_chests[chestID]={id:i,ob:cs};
You are assigning the cs object itself, not an instance of this object. If later you modify cs, this will also modify what you stored in the ob property.
I guess what you need is a closure:
for (i=0;i<chests;i++){
(function(){
var cs = chestSprite({ident: "chest"+chestID});
a_chests[chestID]={id:i,ob:cs};
})();
}
This way, each loop creates a different cs object.
I have a javascript function the initializes a bunch of global varaibles for a game.
function buildVariables(fs,fm) {
window.p1HPStart = fm.p1hp;
window.p2HPStart = fm.p2hp;
window.p1HP = 100;
window.p2HP = 100;
window.trn = 0;
}
Right now all this javascript is in the same HTML file. I want to move it to its own .js file and include it in this HTML file. I also want to replace "window" with a different global namespace like fight.p1HP.
How can I do this?
I've seen code like the below as a proposed answer in other similar questions, but I don't quite understand how it can be used to replace window.
var cartTotaler = (function () {
var total = 0; tax = 0.05;
// other code
return {
addItem : function (item) { },
removeItem : function (item) { },
calculateTitle : function () { }
};
}());
Thanks.
// initialize your own global object
if (!window.mySpace) {
window.mySpace = {};
}
// then use it
function buildVariables(fs,fm) {
mySpace.p1HPStart = fm.p1hp;
mySpace.p2HPStart = fm.p2hp;
mySpace.p1HP = 100;
mySpace.p2HP = 100;
mySpace.trn = 0;
}
Then just make sure everywhere you want one of your own variables, you use your namespace in front of it:
mySpace.variableName
Note: this doesn't really "replace" the window object (as there is no way to do that) - it just puts all your global variables into one master global object rather than pollute the global namespace with every single one of your variables.
The name mySpace can be anything you want it to be. Typically, it should be something that is unique to your application that is unlikely to conflict with something any other javascript or library might use.
(function(global){
global.p1HPStart = fm.p1hp;
global.p2HPStart = fm.p2hp;
global.p1HP = 100;
global.p2HP = 100;
global.trn = 0;
}(window));
This creates an 'immediately invoked function expression'. window is passed into the function, which then attaches a number of properties to it.
You can change window to whatever object you want, such as fight.p1HP, and this function will immediately attach the listed properties to that object.
I have a number of files with contents like this:
function hello() {
...
element1.text = foo.locale.lorem;
element2.text = foo.locale.ipsum;
...
elementn.text = foo.locale.whatever;
...
}
function world() {
...
var label = bar.options.baz.blah;
var toggle = bar.options.baz.use_toggle;
...
}
This could be written more efficiently, and also be more readable, by creating a shortcut to the locale object:
function hello() {
var loc = foo.locale;
...
element1.text = loc.lorem;
element2.text = loc.ipsum;
...
elementn.text = loc.whatever;
...
}
function world() {
var options = bar.options.baz;
...
var label = options.blah;
var toggle = options.use_toggle;
...
}
Is there a simple way to detect occurrences of such duplication for any arbitrary object (it's not always as simple as "locale", or foo.something)?
Basically, I wanna know where lengthy object references appear two or more times within a function.
Thanks!
Are you talking about something like LINT? e.g. something externally that can report such object references or internally like looping over the window object
Javascript minifiers will do this for you. Not sure if thats what you're looking for. Heres a good js minifier http://jscompress.com/
I edited the question so it would make more sense.
I have a function that needs a couple arguments - let's call it fc(). I am passing that function as an argument through other functions (lets call them fa() and fb()). Each of the functions that fc() passes through add an argument to fc(). How do I pass fc() to each function without having to pass fc()'s arguments separately? Below is how I want it to work.
function fa(fc){
fc.myvar=something
fb(fc)
}
function fb(fc){
fc.myothervar=something
fc()
}
function fc(){
doessomething with myvar and myothervar
}
Below is how I do it now. As I add arguments, it's getting confusing because I have to add them to preceding function(s) as well. fb() and fc() get used elsewhere and I am loosing some flexibility.
function fa(fc){
myvar=something
fb(fc,myvar)
}
function fb(fc,myvar){
myothervar=something
fc(myvar,myothervar)
}
function fc(myvar,myothervar){
doessomething with myvar and myothervar
}
Thanks for your help
Edit 3 - The code
I updated my code using JimmyP's solution. I'd be interested in Jason Bunting's non-hack solution. Remember that each of these functions are also called from other functions and events.
From the HTML page
<input type="text" class="right" dynamicSelect="../selectLists/otherchargetype.aspx,null,calcSalesTax"/>
Set event handlers when section is loaded
function setDynamicSelectElements(oSet) {
/**************************************************************************************
* Sets the event handlers for inputs with dynamic selects
**************************************************************************************/
if (oSet.dynamicSelect) {
var ySelectArgs = oSet.dynamicSelect.split(',');
with (oSet) {
onkeyup = function() { findListItem(this); };
onclick = function() { selectList(ySelectArgs[0], ySelectArgs[1], ySelectArgs[2]) }
}
}
}
onclick event builds list
function selectList(sListName, sQuery, fnFollowing) {
/**************************************************************************************
* Build a dynamic select list and set each of the events for the table elements
**************************************************************************************/
if (fnFollowing) {
fnFollowing = eval(fnFollowing)//sent text function name, eval to a function
configureSelectList.clickEvent = fnFollowing
}
var oDiv = setDiv(sListName, sQuery, 'dynamicSelect', configureSelectList); //create the div in the right place
var oSelected = event.srcElement;
if (oSelected.value) findListItem(oSelected)//highlight the selected item
}
Create the list
function setDiv(sPageName, sQuery, sClassName, fnBeforeAppend) {
/**************************************************************************************
* Creates a div and places a page in it.
**************************************************************************************/
var oSelected = event.srcElement;
var sCursor = oSelected.style.cursor; //remember this for later
var coords = getElementCoords(oSelected);
var iBorder = makeNumeric(getStyle(oSelected, 'border-width'))
var oParent = oSelected.parentNode
if (!oParent.id) oParent.id = sAutoGenIdPrefix + randomNumber()//create an ID
var oDiv = document.getElementById(oParent.id + sWindowIdSuffix)//see if the div already exists
if (!oDiv) {//if not create it and set an id we can use to find it later
oDiv = document.createElement('DIV')
oDiv.id = oParent.id + sWindowIdSuffix//give the child an id so we can reference it later
oSelected.style.cursor = 'wait'//until the thing is loaded
oDiv.className = sClassName
oDiv.style.pixelLeft = coords.x + (iBorder * 2)
oDiv.style.pixelTop = (coords.y + coords.h + (iBorder * 2))
XmlHttpPage(sPageName, oDiv, sQuery)
if (fnBeforeAppend) {
fnBeforeAppend(oDiv)
}
oParent.appendChild(oDiv)
oSelected.style.cursor = ''//until the thing is loaded//once it's loaded, set the cursor back
oDiv.style.cursor = ''
}
return oDiv;
}
Position and size the list
function configureSelectList(oDiv, fnOnClick) {
/**************************************************************************************
* Build a dynamic select list and set each of the events for the table elements
* Created in one place and moved to another so that sizing based on the cell width can
* occur without being affected by stylesheet cascades
**************************************************************************************/
if(!fnOnClick) fnOnClick=configureSelectList.clickEvent
if (!oDiv) oDiv = configureSelectList.Container;
var oTable = getDecendant('TABLE', oDiv)
document.getElementsByTagName('TABLE')[0].rows[0].cells[0].appendChild(oDiv)//append to the doc so we are style free, then move it later
if (oTable) {
for (iRow = 0; iRow < oTable.rows.length; iRow++) {
var oRow = oTable.rows[iRow]
oRow.onmouseover = function() { highlightSelection(this) };
oRow.onmouseout = function() { highlightSelection(this) };
oRow.style.cursor = 'hand';
oRow.onclick = function() { closeSelectList(0); fnOnClick ? fnOnClick() : null };
oRow.cells[0].style.whiteSpace = 'nowrap'
}
} else {
//show some kind of error
}
oDiv.style.width = (oTable.offsetWidth + 20) + "px"; //no horiz scroll bars please
oTable.mouseout = function() { closeSelectList(500) };
if (oDiv.firstChild.offsetHeight < oDiv.offsetHeight) oDiv.style.height = oDiv.firstChild.offsetHeight//make sure the list is not too big for a few of items
}
Okay, so - where to start? :) Here is the partial function to begin with, you will need this (now and in the future, if you spend a lot of time hacking JavaScript):
function partial(func /*, 0..n args */) {
var args = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments, 1);
return function() {
var allArguments = args.concat(Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments));
return func.apply(this, allArguments);
};
}
I see a lot of things about your code that make me cringe, but since I don't have time to really critique it, and you didn't ask for it, I will suggest the following if you want to rid yourself of the hack you are currently using, and a few other things:
The setDynamicSelectElements() function
In this function, you can change this line:
onclick = function() { selectList(ySelectArgs[0], ySelectArgs[1], ySelectArgs[2]) }
To this:
onclick = function() { selectList.apply(null, ySelectArgs); }
The selectList() function
In this function, you can get rid of this code where you are using eval - don't ever use eval unless you have a good reason to do so, it is very risky (go read up on it):
if (fnFollowing) {
fnFollowing = eval(fnFollowing)
configureSelectList.clickEvent = fnFollowing
}
And use this instead:
if(fnFollowing) {
fnFollowing = window[fnFollowing]; //this will find the function in the global scope
}
Then, change this line:
var oDiv = setDiv(sListName, sQuery, 'dynamicSelect', configureSelectList);
To this:
var oDiv = setDiv(sListName, sQuery, 'dynamicSelect', partial(configureSelectListAlternate, fnFollowing));
Now, in that code I provided, I have "configureSelectListAlternate" - that is a function that is the same as "configureSelectList" but has the parameters in the reverse order - if you can reverse the order of the parameters to "configureSelectList" instead, do that, otherwise here is my version:
function configureSelectListAlternate(fnOnClick, oDiv) {
configureSelectList(oDiv, fnOnClick);
}
The configureSelectList() function
In this function, you can eliminate this line:
if(!fnOnClick) fnOnClick=configureSelectList.clickEvent
That isn't needed any longer. Now, I see something I don't understand:
if (!oDiv) oDiv = configureSelectList.Container;
I didn't see you hook that Container property on in any of the other code. Unless you need this line, you should be able to get rid of it.
The setDiv() function can stay the same.
Not too exciting, but you get the idea - your code really could use some cleanup - are you avoiding the use of a library like jQuery or MochiKit for a good reason? It would make your life a lot easier...
A function's properties are not available as variables in the local scope. You must access them as properties. So, within 'fc' you could access 'myvar' in one of two ways:
// #1
arguments.callee.myvar;
// #2
fc.myvar;
Either's fine...
Try inheritance - by passing your whatever object as an argument, you gain access to whatever variables inside, like:
function Obj (iString) { // Base object
this.string = iString;
}
var myObj = new Obj ("text");
function InheritedObj (objInstance) { // Object with Obj vars
this.subObj = objInstance;
}
var myInheritedObj = new InheritedObj (myObj);
var myVar = myInheritedObj.subObj.string;
document.write (myVar);
subObj will take the form of myObj, so you can access the variables inside.
Maybe you are looking for Partial Function Application, or possibly currying?
Here is a quote from a blog post on the difference:
Where partial application takes a function and from it builds a function which takes fewer arguments, currying builds functions which take multiple arguments by composition of functions which each take a single argument.
If possible, it would help us help you if you could simplify your example and/or provide actual JS code instead of pseudocode.