var self = this?

Question

Using instance methods as callbacks for event handlers changes the scope of this from \"My instance\" to \"Whatever just called the callback\"

Answer 1

Yeah, this appears to be a common standard. Some coders use self, others use me. It's used as a reference back to the "real" object as opposed to the event.

It's something that took me a little while to really get, it does look odd at first.

I usually do this right at the top of my object (excuse my demo code - it's more conceptual than anything else and isn't a lesson on excellent coding technique):

function MyObject(){
  var me = this;

  //Events
  Click = onClick; //Allows user to override onClick event with their own

  //Event Handlers
  onClick = function(args){
    me.MyProperty = args; //Reference me, referencing this refers to onClick
    ...
    //Do other stuff
  }
}