Prototypes in Javascript
First class functions?
- Create new functions from preexisting functions at run-time
- Store functions in collections
- Use functions as arguments to other functions
- Use functions as return values of other functions
A language supports first class functions if:
What is an Object
//this is an object
var myObject = {};
//you can add properties(values) and methods(functions) to an object
myObject.name = 'Sam Object';
myObject.whatIsMyName = function() {
return this.name;
}
//That's it.
What's wrong with this Object?
I can't reuse it or make multiple copies of it.
KWOW THESE WORDS
- CLASS/FUNCTION
- OBJECT
- INSTANCE
...AND WHY THEY ARE DIFFERENT
ALSO IMPORTANT
- INHERITANCE
- CONSTRUCTOR
- CONTEXT
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17525450/object-vs-class-vs-function
What Are Prototypes
- Prototypes are JUST Functions
- new keyword is what depicts the difference between JUST a function and a constructor
- Prototypes are SINGULAR
- Prototype functions can have different CONTEXT but are same instance of function. This has a small memory footprint.
- EVERY object has a prototype
- Every object inherits from Object..and it's prototype
- This is called prototypical inheritance
Things to Know about Prototypes
- Adding a new prototype to a class will affect ALL instances of the class even if they are already created.
- Adding a new function to a class will affect ONLY that SINGLE instance of a class.
- Instance members of the same name will OVERRIDE the prototype member of the same name. This happens because of order. Prototype happens first. Constructor second.
- Prototype is a property of the constructor
The prototype Inheritance Chain
- All objects that inherit from another object receive all prototype properties of all objects up the prototype chain
- Adding to a prototype anywhere in the prototype chain will add property all the way up the chain.
- hasOwnProperty() will tell you if the method is defined on the current object or inherited.
- Inheritance ONLY inherits prototypes not properties.
- Example: forEach example to support legacy browsers
if (!Array.prototype.forEach) {
Array.prototype.forEach = function(callback, context) {
for (var i = 0; i < this.length; i++) {
callback.call(context || null, this[i], i, this);
}
};
}
Things to know
- NEVER extend the Object prototype.
- Prototype definitions are not hoisted because of assignment
- __proto__ : now forget about it.
- Since a constructor is just a function you can call it like a method without new.
- Name your classes upper case as a visual signal.
- This will make the context of the object the global scope.
- Example of human proofing:
function User(first, last) {
if (!(this instanceof arguments.callee)) {
return new User(first,last);
}
this.name = first + " " + last;
}
Copy of Prototypes in Javascript
By Jon Borgonia
Copy of Prototypes in Javascript
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