reusable javascript objects, prototypes and scope

Question

MyGlobalObject;

function TheFunctionICanUseRightAwaySingleForAllInstansesAndWithoutInstanse() {
    function() {
        alert(\'NO CONSTRUCTOR WAS CALLED\');
    }
};
         


        

Answer 1

I usually settle with returning an object with functions as properties:

var newCat = function (name) {
return {name: name, purr: function () {alert(name + ' purrs')}};
};

var myCat = newCat('Felix');
myCat.name; // 'Felix'
myCat.purr(); // alert fires

You can have inheritance by calling the newCat function and extend the object you get:

var newLion = function (name) {
    var lion = newCat(name);
    lion.roar = function () {
        alert(name + ' roar loudly');
    }
    return lion;
}

If you want a global cats object:

var cats = (function () {

var newCat = function (name) {
    return {
        name: name,
        purr: function () {
            alert(name + ' is purring')
        }
    };
};

return {
    newCat: newCat
};
}());

Now you can call:

var mySecondCat = cats.newCat('Alice');