javascript how to create reference

Question

Could you propose any workarounds to implement a reference to variable using closures or any other tricks?

createReference = function() {
    // TODO: how to         


        

Answer 1

You have to use a string of the variable name but I think this is as close as you'll ever get in JavaScript:

var createReference = function (context, prop) {
  return function () { return context[prop]; };
};

var x = 5;
var refX = createReference(this, 'x');
x = 6;

alert(refX()); // alerts 6

Edit:

In your updated scenario it would be better to use a closure directly, so that you don't have to use a string of the variable name:

var createReference = function (context, func) {
    return function () { return func.call(context); }
};

Provider = function() {
};
Provider.prototype.x = 5;
Provider.prototype.getXRef = function() {

    return createReference(this, function () { return this.x; });

    // OR if you happen to be running in a 
    // JavaScript 1.8 environment like Firefox 3+,
    // you can use "expression closures" for more
    // concise code:

    // return createReference(this, function () this.x);
};
Provider.prototype.incrementX = function() {
    this.x = this.x + 1;
};

var provider = new Provider();
var refX = provider.getXRef();
provider.incrementX();
alert(refX()); // alerts 6

Answer 2

You can't just promote x to be a reference.

Answer 3

In JavaScript, you can't pass primitive values (numbers, strings, etc) by reference. However, every object you pass will always be by reference. (this includes arrays)

To use your example:

var foo = { x: 5 };
var refFoo = foo;

// foo.x => 5
// refFoo.x => 5

foo.x = 6;

// foo.x => 6
// refFoo.x => 6

Answer 4

Only non-scalar types can be passed as reference, and will always be passed as reference:

var reference = {};
my_function(reference);
console.log(reference); // will show property - a property value

function my_function(my_reference) {
    my_reference.property = "a property value";
}

var not_a_reference = [];
my_function(not_a_reference);
console.log(not_a_reference); // will NOT show 'a value'

function my_function() {
    my_reference.push("a value");
}

Closer to your example:

function show(value) {
    alert(value.data);
}

var value = { 'data': 5 };
show(value); // alerts 5
value.data = 6;
show(value); // alerts 6

Answer 5

Since objects will always be a static reference, you can do this:

var o = {};
o.x = 5;
var oRef = o;
alert(oRef.x); // -> 5
o.x = 6;
alert(oRef.x); // -> 6