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JavaScript

Matthew Francis
Matthew Francis
6,967 Points
Posted by Matthew Francis
Matthew Francis
6,967 Points

Invoking a function and "this" keyword

    var Button = function(content) { 
      this.content = content;
    };
    Button.prototype.click = function() {
      console.log(this.content + ' clicked');
    }

    //First way of invoking
    var myButton = new Button('OK');
    myButton.click();

    //Second Way of invoking
    var looseClick = myButton.click; 
    looseClick(); 
    //What is the purpose of invoking a function like this? is there for a name for this way of invoking?
    //How is the first way of invoking different than this way?
    // Why is "this" the window object here?

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points

The value of "this" depends on the context.

When invoking an object method (like your first example), "this" is the object itself. But when invoking a function in global code (like your second example), it is the window object.

If you wanted to "looseClick" to not be "loose", you could bind it when you assign it:

    var looseClick = myButton.click.bind(myButton);

You might enjoy the short workshop on Understanding "this" in JavaScript.