JavaScript/Notes/Prototype: Difference between revisions
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The prototype chain is used by JavaScript engines for reading property resolution. | |||
User-defined [[JavaScript/Notes/Function#Functions_Double_as_Constructor|functions]] can be designed for use as constructors to create new objects which then have, on their prototype chain, that constructor function's `prototype`. Review from [[JavaScript/Notes/Function#Functions_Double_as_Constructor|Functions]]: | |||
{{Function Constructor}} | |||
Define constructor functions how assigning `prototype` property to the constructor creates the prototype chain, for shared properties on the constructor function's object instances. | |||
[http://www.w3.org/TR/WebIDL/ WebIDL] defines the prototype chain to describe native inheritance of host object interfaces. | |||
== Prototype Chain == | == Prototype Chain == | ||
<blockquote>Every object created by a constructor has an implicit reference (called the object’s prototype) to the value of its constructor’s | <blockquote>Every object created by a constructor has an implicit reference (called the object’s prototype) to the value of its constructor’s <code>prototype</code> property. | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
=== Constructors === | |||
=== Constructors === | |||
Functions are used for constructors, to instantiate new objects. | |||
<source lang="javascript"> | |||
function MyConstructor() { | |||
} | |||
alert(MyConstructor.prototype); // Look what we get for free! | |||
</source> | |||
When any function is used in a new Expression, a new object is created and given a link to the constructor function's `prototype` property (The <code>new</code> Operator [http://ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-11.2.2 § 11.2.2]). | |||
<source lang="javascript"> | <source lang="javascript"> | ||
function MyConstructor() { | function MyConstructor() { | ||
Line 10: | Line 33: | ||
} | } | ||
var anObj = new MyConstructor; | var anObj = new MyConstructor; // [[Prototype]] comes from MyConstructor.prototype | ||
</source> | </source> | ||
Every user-defined function | <h4>Shared Properties</h4> | ||
Every user-defined '''''function''''' is given a <code>prototype</code> property by the implementation. This property has a <code>constructor</code> property that points back to the constructor function. | |||
<source lang="javascript"> | <source lang="javascript"> | ||
Line 23: | Line 47: | ||
</source> | </source> | ||
The prototype property | The constructor's <code>prototype</code> property can be modified, and this allows for shared properties for each new instance created by that constructor. | ||
<source lang="javascript"> | |||
function MyConstructor(id) { | |||
this.id = id; | |||
} | |||
MyConstructor.prototype.method = function() { | |||
return this.id; | |||
}; | |||
alert(new MyConstructor("h").method()); | |||
</source> | |||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
<h3>Internal Prototype Properties</h3> | |||
All objects have an internal property called <nowiki>[[Prototype]]</nowiki>. The value of this property is either null or an object and is used for implementing inheritance | <p> | ||
All '''''objects''''' have an internal property called <nowiki>[[Prototype]]</nowiki>. The value of this property is either null or an object and is used for implementing inheritance. Named data properties of the <nowiki>[[Prototype]]</nowiki> object are inherited (are visible as properties of the child object) for the purposes of get access, but not for put access. ([http://ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-8.6.2 § 8.6.2])</p> | |||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
Line 45: | Line 81: | ||
alert(new MyConstructor().toString()) | alert(new MyConstructor().toString()) | ||
</source> | </source> | ||
As shown in the above example, any function's prototype property can be replaced by any user-defined object. | As shown in the above example, any function's prototype property can be replaced by any user-defined object. | ||
== Subclassing == | |||
Why Subclass? | |||
<source lang="javascript"> | <source lang="javascript"> | ||
function MyConstructor(name) { | function MyConstructor(name) { | ||
Line 61: | Line 99: | ||
</source> | </source> | ||
<source lang="javascript"> | <source lang="javascript"> | ||
// Base class. | // Base class. | ||
Line 80: | Line 117: | ||
MyConstructor.call(this, name); | MyConstructor.call(this, name); | ||
} | } | ||
</source> | |||
JSBin Example: http://jsbin.com/upuQAtAV/1/edit | |||
== Shadowing == | |||
(whiteboard diagram) | |||
// Extend prototype. | == Object.create == | ||
<source lang="javascript">// Extend prototype. | |||
MySubclass.prototype = Object.create(MyConstructor.prototype); | MySubclass.prototype = Object.create(MyConstructor.prototype); | ||
Latest revision as of 12:13, 12 August 2014
The prototype chain is used by JavaScript engines for reading property resolution.
User-defined functions can be designed for use as constructors to create new objects which then have, on their prototype chain, that constructor function's `prototype`. Review from Functions: <source lang="javascript"> // Colorized is a constructor. function Colorized(name, favoriteColor) {
this.name = name; this.favoriteColor = favoriteColor;
}
// c is an instance of Colorized. var c = new Colorized("Mary", "red"); alert(c.toString()); </source> A toString method is available on every native object. This is because toString is defined on Object.prototype and Object.prototype is at the base the prototype chain.
Define constructor functions how assigning `prototype` property to the constructor creates the prototype chain, for shared properties on the constructor function's object instances.
WebIDL defines the prototype chain to describe native inheritance of host object interfaces.
Prototype Chain[edit]
Every object created by a constructor has an implicit reference (called the object’s prototype) to the value of its constructor’s
prototype
property.
Constructors[edit]
Functions are used for constructors, to instantiate new objects.
<source lang="javascript"> function MyConstructor() {
}
alert(MyConstructor.prototype); // Look what we get for free! </source>
When any function is used in a new Expression, a new object is created and given a link to the constructor function's `prototype` property (The new
Operator § 11.2.2).
<source lang="javascript"> function MyConstructor() {
}
var anObj = new MyConstructor; // Prototype comes from MyConstructor.prototype </source>
Every user-defined function is given a prototype
property by the implementation. This property has a constructor
property that points back to the constructor function.
<source lang="javascript"> function MyConstructor() {
}
alert(MyConstructor.prototype.constructor); </source>
The constructor's prototype
property can be modified, and this allows for shared properties for each new instance created by that constructor.
<source lang="javascript">
function MyConstructor(id) {
this.id = id;
}
MyConstructor.prototype.method = function() {
return this.id;
};
alert(new MyConstructor("h").method()); </source>
Internal Prototype Properties
All objects have an internal property called [[Prototype]]. The value of this property is either null or an object and is used for implementing inheritance. Named data properties of the [[Prototype]] object are inherited (are visible as properties of the child object) for the purposes of get access, but not for put access. (§ 8.6.2)
<source lang="javascript"> function MyConstructor() {
}
MyConstructor.prototype = {
toString : function() { return "[object MyConstructor]"; }
};
alert(new MyConstructor().toString()) </source> As shown in the above example, any function's prototype property can be replaced by any user-defined object.
Subclassing[edit]
Why Subclass? <source lang="javascript"> function MyConstructor(name) { }
MyConstructor.prototype = {
toString : function() { return "[object MyConstructor]"; }
};
function MySubclass(name) { } MySubclass.prototype = new MyConstructor; </source>
<source lang="javascript"> // Base class. function MyConstructor(name) {
this.name = name;
}
// Prototype. MyConstructor.prototype = {
toString : function() { return "[object MyConstructor]"; }
};
// Subclass. function MySubclass(name) { // Call super constructor.
MyConstructor.call(this, name);
} </source>
JSBin Example: http://jsbin.com/upuQAtAV/1/edit
Shadowing[edit]
(whiteboard diagram)
Object.create[edit]
<source lang="javascript">// Extend prototype. MySubclass.prototype = Object.create(MyConstructor.prototype);
MySubclass.prototype.valueOf = function() {
return this.name;
}; </source>
See also: Object.create() | MDN A more complex Prototype Chain inheritance explanation, example, and diagram.