Javascript: Creating global scope functions from inside an class

Question

I am creating a "class" in Javascript that will handle several HTML5 features (such as video playback).

This Javascript class also generates a Flash fallback in case those HTML5 features arent present in the browser.

The Flash fall back files communicate with the Javascript by calling global functions.

My question is:

How can I get the Javascript class to generate the necessary functions?

To my knowledge using a variable without defining it first using var will make that variable global - but this feels hacky and will certainly fail on strict mode.

The class itself could be bound to any variable, so trying to access functions inside the class without first knowing those variable is going to be problematic. Also I want this code to be as portable as possible.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:57:09Z

1

EDIT: as mentionned by mccainz in the comments it's usually a better idea to use a namespace

You can use window to define global functions without bothering strict mode:

function MyClass() {
    // your constructor
    window.globalFunctions = window.globalFunctions || {};
}

MyClass.prototype.createGlobalFunctionFoo = function () {
    window.globalFunctions.foo = function () {
        // your code
    };
};

var myInstance = new MyClass();
myInstance.createGlobalFunctionFoo();

console.log(globalFunctions.foo); // your function

Of course you would need to do some checking to make sure you are not rewriting an existing function or some other edge cases, I just gave a straight answer.

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:57

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answered Oct 16, 2014 at 12:21

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1 Comment

mccainz Over a year ago

Good idea to tag a 'namespace' object to window and place all your globals there in order to limit footprint.

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