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JavaScript

Posted by Benjamin Hedgepeth
Benjamin Hedgepeth
5,672 Points

How is the 'this' keyword used?

I'm having a difficult time understanding how the keyword of 'this' behaves. From what its purpose is, how it is used, and the values that result from it.

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/this

2 Answers

Ford Heacock
Ford Heacock
18,068 Points
Ford Heacock
Ford Heacock
18,068 Points

Hey Benjamin! This is just a shorthand for referring to the current object scope. Or as javascriptissexy.com puts it: "The this reference ALWAYS refers to (and holds the value of) an object—a singular object—and it is usually used inside a function or a method, although it can be used outside a function in the global scope."

For example:

    var person = {
    firstName   :"Penelope",
    lastName    :"Barrymore",

    showFullName:function () {
    console.log (this.firstName + " " + this.lastName);
    }
   };

this in this case refers to the scope of the person variable. Replace this with person and you will get the same thing. Hope this helps.

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points
Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

You can also refer to this workshop: Understanding "this" in JavaScript