Backbone.js - custom setters

Question

Imagine a simple backbone model like

window.model= Backbone.Model.extend({
   defaults:{
      name: \"\",
      date: new Date().valueOf()
   }
})

Answer 1

It would be a hack, because this isn't what it was made for, but you could always use a validator for this:

window.model= Backbone.Model.extend({
   validate: function(attrs) {
      if(attrs.name) {
         attrs.name = attrs.name.toLowerCase()
      }

      return true;
   }
})

The validate function will get called (as long as the silent option isn't set) before the value is set in the model, so it gives you a chance to mutate the data before it gets really set.