Simplest/Cleanest way to implement singleton in JavaScript?

Question

What is the simplest/cleanest way to implement singleton pattern in JavaScript?

Answer 1

I'm not sure I agree with the module pattern being used as a replacement for a singleton pattern. I've often seen singletons used and abused in places where they're wholly unnecessary, and I'm sure the module pattern fills many gaps where programmers would otherwise use a singleton, however the module pattern is not a singleton.

module pattern:

var foo = (function () {
    "use strict";
    function aPrivateFunction() {}
    return { aPublicFunction: function () {...}, ... };
}());

Everything initialized in the module pattern happens when Foo is declared. Additionally, the module pattern can be used to initialize a constructor, which could then be instantiated multiple times. While the module pattern is the right tool for many jobs, it's not equivalent to a singleton.

singleton pattern:

_{short form}

var Foo = function () {
    "use strict";
    if (Foo._instance) {
        //this allows the constructor to be called multiple times
        //and refer to the same instance. Another option is to
        //throw an error.
        return Foo._instance;
    }
    Foo._instance = this;
    //Foo initialization code
};
Foo.getInstance = function () {
    "use strict";
    return Foo._instance || new Foo();
}

_{long form, using module pattern}

var Foo = (function () {
    "use strict";
    var instance; //prevent modification of "instance" variable
    function Singleton() {
        if (instance) {
            return instance;
        }
        instance = this;
        //Singleton initialization code
    }
    //instance accessor
    Singleton.getInstance = function () {
        return instance || new Singleton();
    }
    return Singleton;
}());

In both versions of the Singleton pattern that I've provided, the constructor itself can be used as the accessor:

var a,
    b;
a = new Foo(); //constructor initialization happens here
b = new Foo();
console.log(a === b); //true

If you don't feel comfortable using the constructor this way, you can throw an error in the if (instance) statement, and stick to using the long form:

var a,
    b;
a = Foo.getInstance(); //constructor initialization happens here
b = Foo.getInstance();
console.log(a === b); //true

---

I should also mention that the singleton pattern fits well with the implicit constructor function pattern:

function Foo() {
    if (Foo._instance) {
        return Foo._instance;
    }
    //if the function wasn't called as a constructor,
    //call it as a constructor and return the result
    if (!(this instanceof Foo)) {
        return new Foo();
    }
    Foo._instance = this;
}
var f = new Foo(); //calls Foo as a constructor
-or-
var f = Foo(); //also calls Foo as a constructor