How do I create a namespace in JavaScript?

Question

I want to access variables by using

MyNamespace.variable1

that are globally accessible. I believe Drupal does something similar, no?

possible duplicate of Javascript Namespace Declaration

haylem
– haylem

2011-05-31 23:04:23 +00:00
Commented May 31, 2011 at 23:04 — haylem
– haylem, Commented May 31, 2011 at 23:04

Halcyon · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-31 22:58:35Z

4

var MyNamespace = {};
MyNamespace.variable1 = value1;

It's just an object really.

answered May 31, 2011 at 22:58

Halcyon

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avpaderno · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-31 23:11:09Z

What Drupal does is using the following code:

var Drupal = Drupal || { 'settings': {}, 'behaviors': {}, 'locale': {} };

Drupal.attachBehaviors = function (context, settings) {
  context = context || document;
  settings = settings || Drupal.settings;
  // Execute all of them.
  $.each(Drupal.behaviors, function () {
    if ($.isFunction(this.attach)) {
      this.attach(context, settings);
    }
  });
};

Drupal.detachBehaviors = function (context, settings, trigger) {
  context = context || document;
  settings = settings || Drupal.settings;
  trigger = trigger || 'unload';
  // Execute all of them.
  $.each(Drupal.behaviors, function () {
    if ($.isFunction(this.detach)) {
      this.detach(context, settings, trigger);
    }
  });
};

// …

Using similar code, you can emulate namespaces using JavaScript.

Kenny Cason · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-31 23:04:04Z

Also, if you have many JS files that each add a "namespace" or Object into a top level package you can do stuff like this:

ModuleA.js

// if Modules is null, create a new object, else use the currently defined instance
var Modules = Modules || {}; 

Modules.A = {};

// sample instance variable
Modules.A.instanceVar; 

// sample function
Modules.A.myFunc = function(param1, param2) {
   // do something
}

ModuleB.js

// if Modules is null, create a new object, else use the currently defined instance
var Modules = Modules || {};

Modules.B = {};

// sample instance variable
Modules.B.instanceVar; 

// sample function
Modules.B.myFunc = function(param1, param2) {
   // do something
}

Then you can of course just call them as you need them Modules.A.myFunc() or Modules.B.myFunc() or Modules.B.instnaceVar = 20;. So you can encapsulate functions as well as variables.

For my code I like to have a root Object, (i.e ) and then added "classes" (objects) to it so that everything has a nice "package like", "OOP" structure to it.

Matt · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-31 22:58:24Z

2

Just create an object. E.g.:

var MyNamespace = {};
MyNamespace.variable1 = ...

answered May 31, 2011 at 22:58

Matt

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3 Comments

Shamoon Over a year ago

Where do I declare this... in a global space?

Matt Over a year ago

You can force global from anywhere by assigning it to window e.g. window.MyNamespace = {}

Halcyon Over a year ago

Just to be complete. JavaScript can run in environments where there is no DOM or window so don't always assume you can use it. I would just define it in global space without the window.

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