Comparing a static functions equality in javascript? - javascript

I am working on a little project and one of the objects for the project can include update functions being added to an array that is a property of the object.
Example,
/*
Add an update function to the layer
#param function {update} The update to add
*/
Layer.prototype.addUpdate = function (update) {
// Add the update
this.updates.push(update);
};
/*
Remove an update from the layer
#param function {update} The update to remove
*/
Layer.prototype.removeUpdate = function (update) {
this.updates.forEach(function (element, index) {
if (element.toString() === update.toString()) {
this.updates.splice(index, 1);
}
}, this);
};
With the code above I can use it like so;
var layer = new Layer();
var func = function () {
x = 10;
};
layer.addUpdate(func);
layer.removeUpdate(func);
After reading on the internet about doing it this way to compare the functions equality, everywhere I have read says that it is really bad to do so.
Is using toString() on a function really that bad?
Are there any other ways I can do this while only supplying the function for both parameters when adding and removing an update?
UDPATE
Is there a way to check if 2 variables point to the same reference? Example (pseudo);
var a = 10;
var b = a;
var c = a;
if (b and c point to a) //

Sure. Compare the functions themselves:
if(element === update) {
// ...
However, you might have a problem modifying the array while forEach is looping over it.

Related

javascript array value as variable name , how I get them from function

I'm using array value as variable and then call the function N method, how I get them in function N.
I really want to simulate the Javascript array method, I don't want to use parameters to achieve it. For example,
var p1 = [1,2,3,4,5]; p1.push(6);
function _Array() {
this._this = this;
}
_Array.prototype.show = function () {
this._this.forEach(function(item){alert(item);}) //how to print 1,2,3,4,5
};
var p1 = [1,2,3,4,5];
p1 = new _Array();
//p1._Array.call(p1); //not work
// new _Array().show.call(p1); //not work
// p1.show(); //not work
You have to store that in the instance
function N(arr) {
this._this = arr
}
N.prototype.say = function () {
this._this.forEach(function (item) {
console.log(item)
})
}
p1 = new N([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
p1.say()
If you are insistent on wanting to write a method that takes the array by reference, you can modify the array prototype like so:
Array.prototype.show = function() {
this.forEach(item => alert(item));
}
However, it is a VERY BAD IDEA to modify the built in object prototypes, as this can cause conflicts with external libraries implementing their own "show" function that is being used differently, or cause incompatibilities with future versions of JS that implements this method.
It would be far more prudent in most situations to pass the array as a parameter, unless you have a very specific reason why you're not doing so. In that case, you should at least prefix the method with some sort of project identifier to minimize the chances of conflicts occurring.

How to save and load objects with methods?

Have a problem. I create my game object like this:
var game_status = {
money : 350000000,
reset_status : function() {
this.money = 350000000;
}
}
function saveGame(){
localStorage.setItem('game_status', JSON.stringify(game_status));
}
function loadGame(){
game_status = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('game_status'));
}
After loading game status method "reset_status" doesn't exists anymore.
Probably I should describe object, create instance, save instance, and then loading creating instance anew with parameters from load?
Just assign the stored state to the object:
Object.assign(game_status, JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('game_status')));
That way you don't have to write a constructor.
Since anyhow object state & object behavior lies within a simple hash and assuming what's needed here is a quick patch, I would do something like:
var INITIAL_GAME = {
money : 350000000
},
game_status;
function saveGame(){
// strip behavior
delete game_status.resetGame;
localStorage.setItem('game_status', JSON.stringify(game_status));
}
function loadGame(){
game_status = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('game_status'));
if (!game_status) {
// init by cloning initial object
game_status = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(INITIAL_GAME));
}
// set behavior again
game_status.resetGame = function resetGame() {
this.money = 350000000;
}
}
loadGame();
for (var attrname in game_statusTemp) { game_status[attrname] =
game_statusTemp[attrname]; }
A quick workaround for my case. Found in
How to duplicate object properties in another object? and How can I merge properties of two JavaScript objects dynamically?

Is it possible to provide a custom scope add remove vars to eval function?

I'm trying to use eval() to evalute a mathematical string with variables and functions
ex: algo = "1+len+customfunction(6)"
So i have data for len and the function for customFunction.
They are obviously declared in different scope.
I tried with something like
process = function(vars, algo) {
return (function() {
algo = algo.toLowerCase();
return eval(algo);
}).call(vars);
};
I need to provide required functions and variables to eval. Items are in different scopes, how do i do that ?
Now I'm a bit lost and confused, is this even possible ?
I think using eval('var'+vName+'='+value) would be ok for vars but not suitable for functions.
EDIT: btw eval can be replaced with (new Function(algo))()
http://moduscreate.com/javascript-performance-tips-tricks/
i would move the required data to an object, which hold all required items. access is possible with any given string. this solution does not requires eval()
var data = {
customfunction: function (x) {
return Math.PI * x * x;
},
len: 5
};
var variable = 'len';
if (data[variable]) {
// do something
;
}
var fn = 'customFunction';
function evaluate(vars, algo) {
if (data[algo.toLowerCase()]) { //
return data[algo.toLowerCase()].call(vars);
} else {
// fallback
}
}
var process = evaluate(vars, algo);
OK here is what i've found :
we can't provide a context for eval
eval('1+1') can be replaced by ((new Function('1+1'))() and it's way faster
eval have different scopes, can't use eval('var a = 1'); eval('alert(a)');
So, i'v managed to :
create a string to initiate all vars : vars += 'var '+key+'='+JSON.stringify(value)+';'
replace at runtime my algo string functions with their full path :
var algo = 'f(x)+5*2', x = 5;
window.object.functions.x = function(a) { return a*2; };
So at runtime i replace x( with object.functions.x(
the code executed by eval finally is eval('object.functions.x(5)+5*2'); and output is 20 of course :)
It seems to work.

javascript - how to get object from array, and use its methods?

i have a problem using a class methods, after it was inserted into array. when i pull it back i can no longer use it methods.
and i know javascript does not have class, when i say class i mean object -or js equal.
suppose i have the following:
// a simple atomic class
function raw_msg(msg) {
this.msg = msg;
this.print = function () {
console.log(this.msg);
}
}
// and then i have this container for this "atomic" class
// which accept array of unknown object (known to me though..) = in_buffer
// i.e in_buffer is just an array of objects (one type of object)
function buffer(in_buffer) {
this.trans_buffer = null;
if (in_buffer!=null)
this.set_buffer (in_buffer);
this.set_buffer = function (buffer) {
this.trans_buffer = [];
var length = buffer.length,
row, new_raw_msg;
for(var x = 0; x < length; x++) {
row = buffer[x];
this.trans_buffer.push(new raw_msg(row));
}
console.log(this.trans_buffer);
}
this.use_some_raw_msg_method = function () {
var firstrow = this.trans_buffer[0];
firstrow.print(); // here is the problem!!!
//this here where i need help as it yield the error:
//Uncaught TypeError: Object #<Object> has no method 'print'
}
}
// this is how i use it, this code sits in a diffrent yet another class...
// this here im just building fake array
var buffer_in = [];
for (var x=0;x<10;x++)
buffer_in.push ("whatever" + x);
this.trans_buffer = new trans_helper(buffer_in);
this.trans_buffer.use_some_raw_msg_method (); // will yield the error as described
i hope this here, is clear, ask away if you need clarifications.
thanks for your help!
note to future readers - there is no problem in retrieving an object and using its methods.
You had several problems with your code.
Associative array does not have .push() method so the following line failed:
buffer_in.push ("whatever" + x);
To fix this just declare plain array:
var buffer_in = [];
You tried to create instance of function called trans_helper which does not exist. The name is buffer instead, so fix would be:
var trans_buffer = new buffer(buffer_in);
Last but not least, you tried to call function in the "class" when it still did not exist yet. JavaScript does not "compile" functions in advance, when inside function it will go line by line. So in this line in your code:
this.set_buffer (in_buffer);
There was still no function called "set_buffer" in your class. To fix this, place the function declaration above, on top.
Live test case.

Javascript function objects

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.

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