How can I return an array from an object key value in JavaScript?

Question

So I have the following piece of code:

var structures = {

    loginStructure : function(){

        return structure = [
            '<form name="',opts.formClass,'" class="',opts.formClass,'" method="post" action="#">',
                '<fieldset class="',opts.fieldsWrapper,'">',
                    '<fieldset class="',opts.userWrapper,'">',
                        '<label for="',opts.userInt,'" class="',opts.userLbl,'"><img src="',opts.userIcon,'" alt="',opts.userName,'" /></label>',
                        '<input type="text" name="',opts.userInt,'" class="',opts.userInt,'" placeholder="',checkNameLenght(opts.userName,namesLenght.userNameLenght,16,'Username'),'" value="" autocomplete="off" />',
                    '</fieldset>',
                    '<fieldset class="',opts.passWrapper,'">',
                        '<label for="',opts.passInt,'" class="',opts.passLbl,'"><img src="',opts.passIcon,'" alt="',opts.passName,'" /></label>',
                        '<input type="password" name="',opts.passInt,'" class="',opts.passInt,'" placeholder="',checkNameLenght(opts.passName,namesLenght.passNameLenght,16,'Password'),'" value="" autocomplete="off" />',
                    '</fieldset>',
                    '<fieldset class="',opts.btnWrapper,'">',
                        '<button type="submit" name="',opts.btnInt,'" class="',opts.btnInt,'">',checkNameLenght(opts.btnName,namesLenght.btnNameLenght,7,'Login'),'</button>',
                    '</fieldset>',
                '</fieldset>',
                '<div class="toogle-button">',
                    '<ul class="inside">',
                        '<li class="toogle"><a><img src="assets/gfx/toogle.png" alt="Back" /></a></li>',
                    '</ul>',
                '</div>',
            '</form>',
            '<div class="toogle-buttons">',
            '</div>'
        ];
    }

}

This returns ( if I do console.log(structures.loginStructure) ) just a function(). Is there a way I can make it to return the actual array I have in there ?

The purpose of it would be to have multiple arrays defined as object keys, if it is possible to return such a thing, because it seems easier. Or is there a better way to do this ?

BTW, this has nothing to do with jQuery - but leaving it tagged as such as an indication that you're probably using jQuery - which may act as a hint to someone else to provide a jQuery-dependent answer. — ziesemer
– ziesemer, Commented Jan 14, 2012 at 20:19
Yes, I'm using jQuery too, in fact this piece of code is part of a jQuery plugin. — Roland
– Roland, Commented Jan 14, 2012 at 20:25
Seems to work fine here if all variables are defined properly: jsfiddle.net/jfriend00/ekZVE. — jfriend00
– jfriend00, Commented Jan 14, 2012 at 20:53
@jfriend00 indeed it does. I have the following structure of the jQuery plugin: jsfiddle.net/3fbZq/1 , and the opts are defined within that $.fn.loginsys.defaults = { ... } . And if I run that console.log() operation nothing shows up in this current state. If I had that object return a function as the first part of the answer says it shows as I described function() in the console. So maybe something is wrong with my structure of the plugin and that is why it's not working properly. If you don't mind you could take a look jsfiddle.net/3fbZq/1 and tell me what's wrong. — Roland
– Roland, Commented Jan 14, 2012 at 21:26
@Roland - I made your fiddle so it will actually run and execute and when I do that, it gives errors saying that the namesLenght object is not defined and thus it aborts. Also, do you realize that the normal spelling is namesLength not namesLenght. You can see the runnable version and the error here: jsfiddle.net/jfriend00/rdbfU. — jfriend00
– jfriend00, Commented Jan 14, 2012 at 21:35

ziesemer · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-14 20:37:00Z

4

You want:

structures.loginStructure();

structures.loginStructure is simply just returning a reference to the function, instead of executing the function and returning its result. Add the () to the end of it to execute it and return its result.

Alternatively, and maybe better, don't write it as a function. Just declare loginStructure: ['<form name.... Basically, just remove function(){return structure =. A significant difference to note here is that any values of opts would be evaluated immediately, instead of deferred until later when then function would be executed - so please don't blindly update your code to this.

edited Jan 14, 2012 at 20:37

answered Jan 14, 2012 at 20:15

ziesemer

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10 Comments

Roland Over a year ago

And instead of ',opts.formClass,' having '+opts.formClass+' ?

Roland Over a year ago

I tried but then it gives me an error down on my code on which line I have return this.each(function() { ....... , why ?

ziesemer Over a year ago

@Roland - I think we'd need to see more code to accurately answer that, which I think may be appropriate for a new question.

Roland Over a year ago

Sorry, my fault here, I forgot to delete } from the end of the funtion(){ ... I had there before. It's fine now, but now nothing happens if I do this console.log(structures.loginStructure), I'm suppose to see that array, no ?

jfriend00 Over a year ago

This answer no longer related to the current state of the question (after it was edited).

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