Strategy for handling case sensitivity of javascript properties - javascript

I'm sure someone is going to shout at me for asking this question, but here goes: in Javascript, what is the best strategy for coping with the fact that the properties of objects are case-sensitive? If I create an object with a property called FavouriteDrink, but then I later start referring to it as favouriteDrink then I could end up in a mess.
I don't want a big library here, but is there any way to define the object so that FavouriteDrink is defined somewhere, and where in Visual Studio 2012 some intellisense will help me choose the correct property name if I can somehow contextualise the object I'm dealing with? It is only properties I'm pondering here.
Thanks.

It doesn't work this way
if i look at your your code and see :
FavouriteDrink() {}
the first thing will popup in my mind is this is a constructor function not just a normal function
and by looking at this following one
favouriteDrink() {}
i would tell that this is a normal function and i can't use it as a constructor - can't be called with new
Here is some other examples
first_name // variable
FIRST_NAME // uppercase variables shouldn't change
_first_name // local variable not intended to be used out of its scope
var FIRSTNAME = {} // name space
it’s a good idea to follow a convention as to how the words will be separated
see this Code Conventions for the JavaScript Programming Language
For the other part of your question i'm using VS 2012 and i installed JSEnhancements
and i can see all my object element

JavaScript shares the following conventions with Java and ActionScript 3.
ALL_UPPERCASE
Use this as the variable name when you define a constant, or a value that should never change.
For example, myObject.NUM_TIMES_CLICKED = 2 would be a poor candidate for a constant because it is likely to change. However, myObject.APPLE_FRENCH_SPELLING = 'pomme' would be appropriate here.
firstWordLowercaseAndTheRestAllUppercase
Use this when you are defining anything that is not a constant or a class. You would use this for most things, for example, myObject.numTimesClicked, myObject.myFunction(), myObject.returnString.
AllWordsCapitalized
Use this when you are defining a function that defines a "class," generally any function you would call with the syntax myObject.myClassInstance = new MyClass(). Notice how myClassInstance is in camel-case because it is an instance of the class. However, MyClass is all caps because it is meant to be invoked with new.
You would define the class initially like this: myObject.MyClass = function(){};

WebStorm and Sublime Text are great tools that offer the code intelligence you're looking for.
WebStorm does this out of the box, but my personal preference is Sublime Text with the SublimeCodeIntel plugin.
That being said, it's probably best for you to be using naming conventions:
UpperCamelCase is for classes
ALL_CAPS_SNAKE_CASE is for constants
lowerCamelCase is used for everything else

Related

VS Code JS: Why / when do definitions break?

I use VS Code for JavaScript.
Definitions within a file work sometimes, but not others. Does anyone know why they fail?
In this example, VS Code finds the definition for edit easily. There is no occurrence of the word 'something' anywhere else in this file. Completely unique. So, why can't VS Code find its definition?
If I knew why, maybe I could change my code to work around it.
VS Code also can't find any references to these 'lost' properties. Which is very frustrating for tracking down where a function is called etc.
You should use this.
const edit = {
something: 5,
test() {
this.something;
},
};
You must not use an arrow function for test field, or this would point elsewhere but not the edit object.
EDIT: In TypeScript 4.3.5, the latest version of TS at the time of writing, TS is able to detect self-references in object literals, and both edit.something and this.something would work. For the case of working with JavaScript, upgrading VS Code should do the trick.
A TS playground link for reference.
There is a length limit. IntelliSense will define type :any if an object description is too long.
There is no way around this at all. The :any type will overwrite imported type definitions (e.g., a .d.ts file).
Two solutions:
Don't write long object declarations in your code.
Don't use VS Code or IntelliSense.
As for specifics:
The behavior is unpredictable.
If a type definition does not generate, reducing the object description length will not cause it to generate
Reducing an object description length to below the limit and re-launching VS Code will cause it to re-generate.
The length limit is unpredictable.
A function definition is 'longer' than a string, even if they have the same character count.
A nested ('deep') object declaration is longer than a shallow ('flat') object declaration, even if they have the same character count.
In short: IntelliSense breaks irreparably if you try to write long object declarations in a JS file.

How to "take variables out of an object" in javascript

I'm looking for something that will import the contents of an object to the global scope:
var y = {}
y.x = 5
//do some magic here
console.log(x); //5
I want to do this is so I can make an easy to use module with memorable function names without having to worry about things accidentally getting overridden by other modules.
Consider this example:
funModule = {};
funModule.washClothes = function(clothes){...}
funModule.walkDog = function(dogName){...}
//etc
funModule.UNITED_STATES_DEFICIT = ...;
Here I've created a module that has some useful functions and constants (implementations and values were replaced with "...").
I don't want my users to have to type out the module name every time they call function or use a constant. That would result with really messy code:
funModule.walkDog(funModule.UNITED_STATES_DEFICIT);
I could try it again by defining everything globally:
washClothes = function(clothes){...}
walkDog = function(dogName){...}
//etc
UNITED_STATES_DEFICIT = ...;
but if a different module has also defined the commonly named function washClothes we've got trouble. (in my actual case the commonly named function is run)
Removed from technical context, here is the problem I'm faced with:
Firstly I want to use simple and memorable names to make the module easy to learn and fun to use.
Secondly I don't want the easy names to make the module impossible to use with others. Especially as it grows, a lot of common names will be used. It would be great if the users could decide whether or not import the names directly.
Thirdly I realized as I'm typing this that what I'm describing is something that definitely already exists, in python. See http://effbot.org/zone/import-confusion.htm for more detail.
tl;dr How can python-like imports be done with javascript?
EDIT:
It seems there is not a universal way to do this.
Using Window won't work in all environments (but will work in any common browser).
Apparently ES6 Modules are not available to web browsers directly.
This question is different from this one because its not about Node.js. I was looking for a universal way to do it, but that doesn't seem possible, so I'll limit it to web browsers, (namely chrome, firefox, safari, opera, and maybe ie)
EDIT:
This general article about Scope could be useful for anyone with a similar question as mine: https://toddmotto.com/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-javascript-scope/
Object.prototype.makeglobal=function(){
for(key in this){
if(window[key]){//replace window if youre not in a browser
//already exist, error handling
console.error(key+' already exist in window');
}else{
window[key]=this[key];
}}};
Use like this:
funModule.makeglobal();
//now you can
washClothes();
But this is bad as it pollutes the global object.
2.Your user should create his own namespace:
function(){
this.washClothes();
//more of his content
}.call(funModule);
3.You could also add a loader:
funModule.load=function(func){
console.log(func);
console.log(this);
func.call(this,this);
};
Now you can do:
funModule.load(function(fun){
this.washClothes();
fun.washClothes();
});
4.If youre concerned about readability you may use function chaining (?):
funModule.washClothes=function(){
//your code
return this;
}
now you can do:
funModule.washClothes("tshirts").washClothes("trousers").washClothes();
ES6 Modules are what you want.
If you will define your object as es6 module you could do this (using the names in your example):
import { washClothes } from "fun-module";
and then washClothes will be globally available on the file that imported it, just like you want.
Read about it here.
If you really want a magic solution like in the comment in your post and don't want to use ES6 and you run in the browser you can put it on the window object:
window.x = 5
In JavaScript, at least in a browser, global variables are properties of the window object: that is, window.x and x (where x is global) reference the same value. So, in theory, you could use Object.assign() to copy your object's properties to the window object making them global variables. This is roughly equivalent to globals().update(myobj.__dict__) in Python.
But just as import * is usually a bad idea in Python, so too this sounds like a bad idea, except even worse because window has a lot of other properties that you probably don't want to clobber.
After some additional research I found a way, without polluting the global namespace, to allow users to directly access module contents.
This solution allows the user to:
Write code that directly references the module's functions/properties
Define precedence if there are multiple modules written in this same style
Still access the module's functions/properties by module name*
*This feature comes with a catch
Here's the code
Module
funModule = {};
//This stuff is the arbitrary contents of the module:
funModule.washClothes = function(clothes){...}
funModule.walkDog = function(dogName){...}
//etc
funModule.UNITED_STATES_DEFICIT = ...;
//etc
//This part is necessary:
funModule.run(userApp)
{
for(key in this){
eval(key + " = " + this[key] + ";");
}
userApp();
}
The only way (that I could find) to dynamically define functions both in funModule.run's scope and in funModule is to use Eval. Using call, apply, or bind to manipulate scope would still require use of the this keyword and the whole point of this unusual style is to make client code as simple and non-repetitive as possible.
Client Code 1
function myApp()
{
washClothes(UNITED_STATES_DEFICIT);
}
funModule.run(myApp);
Here in the client code it is possible to directly access everything except for funModule.run. So the global namespace is kept clean but the user's code does not need unnecessary repetition.
Client Code 2
function myApp()
{
washClothes(UNITED_STATES_DEFICIT);
}
funModule.run( otherModule.run.bind({},myApp) ); //otherModule has precedence here
Assume otherModule is a different module that features the same run function. funModule will load its contents then call its first argument. The first argument will load otherModule's contents, overriding anything from funModule with the same name.
Client Code 3
function myApp()
{
//directly access stuff from funModule
walkDog()
var big = UNITED_STATES_DEFICIT * 3.14;
//explicitly access stuff from specific modules
clothes = new otherModule.Clothes();
funModule.washClothes(otherModule.washClothes(clothes));
}
funModule.run(myApp)
This is the feature that makes use of eval necessary. The user can opt out of ambiguity of direct access. They can still access properties/methods by naming the module they come from.
But Why?
Some StackOverflow users were understandably concerned about the unusual set of constraints in the question, so I figured I would answer the following question:
Why don't you use a short alias for your module.
I tried to answer that question in this article, which pulls from this question and answer.

What's the difference between str.fun() / str.fun / fun(str) in JavaScript?

I tried googling but couldn't find a precise answer, so allow me to try and ask here. If the question does not seem proper, please let me know and I'll delete it.
In JS you've got three different way of writing certain build in functionalities:
str.length
str.toString()
parseInt(str)
I wonder if there is a reason behind these different ways of writing. As a new user I don't grasp why it couldn't be streamlined as: length(str) / toString(str) / parseInt(str) or with dot formulation.
I however think if I do know the reason behind these differences, it would give me a better understanding of JavaScript.
Length is one of the attributes of string in JavaScript. Hence you use string.length to get the length of the string.
toString is a function for string objects, hence we use stringobj.toString().
parsInt(str) is a global function which takes string as a parameter.
JavaScript is object-oriented, so there are functions or procedures which require first an object to use as this in their bodies. str.length is a property, both syntactically and semantically. It doesn't require any parameters and represents some quality of the object. obj.toString() is a method (a function attached to an object), which doesn't represent any characteristics of the object, but rather operates on its state, computes some new values, or changes the state of the object a lot. parseInt(str) is a "global" function, which represents an operation not attached to any type or object.
Under the hood, these three ways may be well implemented with just calling a function, passing this as the first parameter (like C# does, for example). The semantic difference is the important one.
So why not use just the third syntax, like for example PHP does? First, it doesn't bloat the global environment with lots of functions which only work for one specific case and type, allowing you to specify any new function you want without breaking the old functionality. Second, it ecourages you to use object-oriented concepts, because you can already see working objects and methods in the language, and can try to make something similar.
And why isn't parseInt a method? It can as well be str.toInt() without any issues, it's just the way JavaScript designers wanted it to be, although it seems also a bit logical to me to make it a static method Number.parseInt(str), because the behaviour of the function is relevant more to the Number type than the String type.
JavaScript is based around objects. Objects have properties (e.g. a User object may have name and age properties). These are what define the user and are related to the user. Properties are accessed via dot-notation or brackets notation (to access Eliott’s age, we’ll use either eliott.age or eliott['age'] — these are equivalent).
These properties can be of any type — String, Number, Object, you name it — even functions. Now the proper syntax to call a function in JS is to put round brackets: eliott.sayHello(). This snippet actually fetches Eliott’s sayHello property, and calls it right away.
You can see Eliott as a box of properties, some of which can be functions. They only exist within the box and have no meaning out of the box: what would age be? Whose age? Who’s saying hello?
Now some functions are defined at the global level: parseInt or isNaN for instance. These functions actually belong to the global box, named window (because legacy). You can also call them like that: window.parseInt(a, 10) or window.isNaN(a). Omitting window is allowed for brevity.
var eliott = {
name: 'Eliott',
age: 32,
sayHello: function () { console.log('Hello, I’m Eliott'); }
};
eliott.name; // access the `name` property
eliott.age; // access the `age` property
eliott.sayHello; // access the `sayHello` property
eliott.sayHello(); // access the `sayHello` property and calls the function
sayHello(eliott); // Reference error: `window.sayHello` is undefined!
Note: Some types (String, Number, Boolean, etc.) are not real objects but do have properties. That’s how you can fetch the length of a string ("hello".length) and reword stuff ("hello, Eliott".replace("Eliott", "Henry")).
Behaviour of these expressions is defined in ECMAScript grammar. You could read the specification to understand it thoroughly: ECMAScript2015 specification. However, as pointed out by Bergi, it's probably not the best resource for beginners because it doesn't explain anything, it just states how things are. Moreover I think it might be too difficult for you to be able to grasp concepts described in this specification because of the very formal language used.
Therefore I recommend to start with something way simpler, such as a very basic introduction to JavaScript: JavaScript Basics on MDN. MDN is a great resource.
But to answer your question just briefly:
str.length is accessing a property of the str object.
parseInt(str) is a function call
str.toString() is a call of a function which is a property of the str object. Such functions are usually named methods.
Functions and methods are in fact very similar but one of the differences (except for the obvious syntax difference) is that methods by default have context (this) set to refer to the object which they're part of. In this case inside of toString function this equals to str.
Note: Accessing a property (as in str.length) could in effect call a getter function but it depends on how the object is defined, and is in fact transparent for the user.

Leading underscore for marking private members

As I know, in JavaScript there is no good solution to make private member. Solution described here is not efficient, because private members become parts of objects, not prototypes, and hence require more memory.
So, I decided just use Python practice - to mark private stuff with leading underscore, letting other to know that makred property or method is not intended to be used from outside.
But there is well-known code quality tool - JSLint, and it suggests to not use leading or trailing underscores.
What is the rationale behind this? Is this just code style suggestion or underscores can lead to more serious problems? If its just code style convention in JS community, how strong it is?
JSLint is a good tool, but it expresses opinions about coding practices that are in the style of its authors. Read about what those preferences are here. There is no harm in the JavaScript parser in using a leading underscore/underbar, the tool is programmed to see this as a bad convention and warn you against using it. If using leading underscores is your preference and it makes sense, use them.
If you don't want to see the warnings in JSLint when using identifiers that begin with an underscore/underbar there is a setting within JSLint to hide these from you. Wrap the code that you don't want to be evaluated like this example and you won't see the warnings:
/*jslint nomen: true */
var _gaq = {};
/*jslint nomen: false */
This is true if you're having code evaluated from a file, but if you're on the JSLint website there is an option to "Tolerate... dangling _ in identifiers" that removes the warning as well.
Please note that doing this may cause issues in how JSHint parses the file. Take a look at this link showing JSLint vs JSHint in relation to that flag. But if you're going to go by the JSLint standard mixing JSHint can cause a bit of confusion.
Private variables don't exist in JavaScript without using closures, but it's not a pattern needed for every project execution. If you want to know more about closures in JavaScript check out Ben Nadel's wonderful blog post and NetTuts+
It's just a code style suggestion.
You can use JSHint instead and set-up it following the code style in your project/company.
As to me there's nothing bad if you mark private members in this way. The main rule should be to follow the unified convention in the whole project. If this makes your code more readable and maintainable, you're free to follow own convention for current project.
Underscore prefix can be use as convention. But is just a convention.
If the private member is a property of the object's instance the only way is to declare a variable in constructor. The properties of an object are never registred in prototype. If you store a property in proto, his value was share with all other instance.
It work like statics in POO.
The prototype is only use to solve an undefined property in the instance.
Exemple:
function O(){}
O.prototype.name = "John";
var o = new O;
// o look like that :
// {
// __proto__: { name: "John"}
// }
console.log(o.name); // write "John"
o.name = "Tom";
// now :
// {
// name: "Tom",
// __poto__: { name: "John" }
// }
console.log(o.name); // write "Tom"
The definition of name on instance not override the prototype value. It only store in the instance before the proto value in cascade resolution.
Sorry for my bad english.

Obfuscate javascript properties?

I've recently tested UglifyJS and YUI Compressor and noticed something odd.
Both minifiers don't seem to change the names of object properties, only the names of variables and functions.
for instance if I have the following code:
var objName = {first:2, second:4};
alert(objName.first + " " + objName.second);
the names first and second remain unchanged in the minified version.
Why is that?
Since in javascript a new scope is created in a function, you can scope your code in an immediately invoked function.
// scoped
(function() {
var objName = {first:2, second:4};
alert(objName.first + " " + objName.second);
})();
Then using Google's Closure Compiler, if you turn on the "Advanced" optimization it will see that the properties are only used locally, and will obfuscate them.
// result
var a={a:2,b:4};alert(a.a+" "+a.b);
It's because it doesn't know where the object is going to be used. It could be used externally by other code and you wouldn't want your other code to have to change whenever you obfuscate it.
Edit So basically, it's like that to prevent obfuscation from breaking external/internal references to properties that may not be possible to figure out while obfuscating.
Since there are no well defined scoping rules around objects in JavaScript it's impossible to obfuscate the names in a way that is guaranteed to be correct.
For example, if you had the following function:
function f() {
return { first: 'foo', second: 'bar' };
}
In order to obfuscate the property names you would have to nail down all the places that f is called from. Since functions are first-class in JavaScript they can be assigned and passed around in arbitrary ways making it impossible to pin down where f is referenced without actually running the program.
Additionally, JavaScript doesn't have any way for you to specify intent around what's public API and what isn't. Even if the minimizer could reliably determine where the function is called from in the code you give it, there would be no way for it to make the same changes to code that it hasn't seen.
I guess that's because the minifiers would break the object properties. Consider this:
function getProp(ob,name) {
return ob[name];
}
var objName = {first: 2, second: 4};
var prop = getProp(objName, "second");
There's no way for the minifier to know the string literal "second" being an object property. The minified code could look like this then:
function a(b,c){return b[c]}var d={p1:2,p2:4};var e=a(d,"second")
Broken now.
The latest release of uglify (today) has object property mangling, see v2.4.19. It also supports reserved files for excluding both object properties and variables that you don't want mangled. Check it out.
The only public tool so far to obfuscate property and function names (afaik) is the Closure Compiler's Advanced mode. There are a lot of limitations and restrictions, but the end result is generally worth it.
As a passing note: the Dojo Toolkit is compatible (with some minor modifications) with the Closure Compiler in Advanced mode -- arguably the only large-scale public JavaScript library that can be fully obfuscated. So if you are looking at obfuscation to protect your IP, you should look into using Dojo for the task.
http://dojo-toolkit.33424.n3.nabble.com/file/n2636749/Using_the_Dojo_Toolkit_with_the_Closure_Compiler.pdf?by-user=t
Stephen
What about doing something like:
// scoped
(function() {
var objName = {first:2, second:4};
var vA = 'first';
var vB = 'second';
alert(objName[vA] + " " + objName[vB]);
})();
Once objName.first and/or objName.second are referenced enough times, this technique will start to save characters. I can't think of any reason that wouldn't work, but I can't find any minifiers that do it.

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