Simplest/Cleanest way to implement singleton in JavaScript?

Question

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

Answer 1

I got this example from JavaScript Patterns Build Better Applications with Coding and Design Patterns By Stoyan Stefanov's book in case you need some simple implementation class like singltone object you can use immediate function as following:

var ClassName;

(function() {
    var instance;
    ClassName = function ClassName() {
        //If private instance variable already initialized return reference
        if(instance) {
            return instance;   
        }
        //If instance does not created save pointer of original reference
        //to private instance variable. 
        instance = this;

        //All constructor initialization will be here
        // i.e.: 
        this.someProperty = 0;
        this.someMethod = function() {
            //Some action here
        };
    };
}());

And you can check this example by following test case:

//Extending defined class like Singltone object using new prototype property
ClassName.prototype.nothing = true;
var obj_1 = new ClassName();
//Extending defined class like Singltone object using new prototype property
ClassName.prototype.everything = true; 
var obj_2 = new ClassName();

//Testing does this two object pointing to same instance
console.log(obj_1 === obj_2); //Result is true, it points to same instance object

//All prototype properites work
//no matter when they were defined
console.log(obj_1.nothing && obj_1.everything 
            && obj_2.nothing && obj_2.everything); //Result true


//Values of properties which is defined inside of constructor
console.log(obj_1.someProperty);// output 0
console.log(obj_2.someProperty);// output 0 
//Changing property value 
obj_1.someProperty = 1;

console.log(obj_1.someProperty);// output 1
console.log(obj_2.someProperty);// output 1

console.log(obj_1.constructor === ClassName); //Output true 

This approaches passes all test cases while private static implementation will fail when prototype extension is used (it can be fixed but it will not be simple) and public static implementation less advisable due to instance is exposed to the public.

jsFiddly demo.