javascript get type/instance name

Question

Is there a reliable way of getting the instance of a JavaScript object?

For example, relying on the fake \'obj.getInstance()\' function.

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Answer 1

In case anyone is still reading this in 2017:

Be careful about using obj.constructor, as it is not an immutable property.

The instanceof operator is generally more reliable. You can also use Object.getPrototypeOf(obj):

var arr = [];
arr instanceof Array; // true
Object.getPrototypeOf(arr); // Array [  ]
Object.getPrototypeOf(arr) === Array.prototype; // true

See this useful document on the topic:

https://github.com/getify/You-Dont-Know-JS/blob/master/this%20%26%20object%20prototypes/ch5.md