javascript design pattern: how to create sub-module and access parent module private vars and functions

Question

I have the following:

mod.a = (function() {
    var myPrivateVar = 'a';
    function myPrivateFct() {
        //do something I will need in my sub-module (mod.a.b)
    }
    return {
        //some public functions
    }
})();

mod.a.b = (function() {
    // some local vars and functions

    return {
          mySubModuleFct:function() {
              // here I want to call mod.a.myPrivateFct();
          }
})();

I want to create a sub-module and call a private function from my parent module mod.a. How can I do this while following the best practices of the module pattern?

David Ly-Gagnon · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-27 21:42:44Z

2

A coworker showed me how to do it. It's actually very elegant.

mod.a = (function() {
    var myPrivateVar = 'a';
    function myPrivateFct() {
        //do something I will need in my sub-module (mod.a.b)
    }
    return {
        b: {
            bPublicMethod:function() {
                myPrivateFct(); // this will work!
            }
        }
        //some public functions
    }
})();

//call like this
mod.a.b.bPublicMethod(); // will call a.myPrivateFct();

answered Oct 27, 2011 at 21:42

David Ly-Gagnon

4114 silver badges15 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

david Over a year ago

ah yeah good, also if you havent read this check it out yuiblog.com/blog/2007/06/12/module-pattern, explains what your coworker showed you

Jakub Konecki · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-22 10:11:02Z

1

I would suggest using John Resig's Simple Inheritance code for more object-oriented approach to javascript:

http://ejohn.org/blog/simple-javascript-inheritance/

It allows you to write this:

var Person = Class.extend({
  init: function(isDancing){
    this.dancing = isDancing;
  }
});
var Ninja = Person.extend({
  init: function(){
    this._super( false );
  }
});

var p = new Person(true);
p.dancing; // => true

var n = new Ninja();
n.dancing; // => false

answered Oct 22, 2011 at 10:11

Jakub Konecki

46.1k8 gold badges92 silver badges128 bronze badges

3 Comments

David Ly-Gagnon Over a year ago

That might work, but it is not really what I am looking for. I know that I could use inheritance the way you specified it, but I would need to re-write the current module that I have. I also want to follow the module pattern. Anyone?

João Pimentel Ferreira Over a year ago

ah, you use Class. According to MDN IE doesn't support it

Jakub Konecki Over a year ago

@JoãoPimentelFerreira that's why the blog post I linked to contains the implementation of Class so you don't have to rely on browser providing it.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

javascript design pattern: how to create sub-module and access parent module private vars and functions

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related