Not entirely correct?

Question

Andrew states towards the end of the video that "this" refers to the object that "owns" the method where this is called, but this isn't necessarily true is it?
"This" refers the the object that invokes the method that contains "this", which is not necessarily the object where it is defined.
(In this context it is correct, but this might lead to some confusion down the road when "this" doesn't refer to the expected object)

Steven Parker · Accepted Answer

But In that example, the value of "this" is being explicitly set by the handler mechanism.  If you set up the handler this way instead, it will still work as before:
js
$("button").click(function() { person.sayName(); });  // still says "My name is John"

On the other hand, you can override the value of "this" yourself, too:
js
person.sayName.call({name: "Fred"});  // says "My name is Fred" !

I'm not sure that the handler's override, or the fact that you can do it yourself, contradicts the point of the lesson.

Natalie Cluer · Answer

got it! thanks! got myself into a bit of a rabbit hole trying to understand "this". i'll keep digging.

Natalie Cluer · Answer

Hi Steven!
an example would be if a method is passed in as a callback function. In the method, for example :
 const person = {
   name: "John",
   sayName: function () {
      console.log("My name is " + this.name); // here, "this" refers to the object that "owns" it (Andrew used the word "own 
                                                                            in the video")
}
but:
$('button').click(person.sayName) // "this" now points to the button object because it was the object that invoked the 
                                                              method, so returns 'cannot read property of undefined'

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Not entirely correct?

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3 Answers

Steven Parker

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Natalie Cluer

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