JavaScript nesting functions and using them

Question

I am newer to JavaScript and come from a Java background. I am trying to write a pretty simple JavaScript application but I am having some issues. I want to duplicate a sort of class structure in JavaScript the issue I am having has to do with the scope of functions inside of functions.

I want to create a structure like this

function codeArray() {
    function create() {
        addElement( prop1, prop2,) {
            //create an element
        }

        function traverse(object) {
            //recursively go through some nested list data structure
            addElement(asd, 4534);
        }
    }

    function deleteElement() {
        //delete a single element from an array
    }

    print() {
        //print array;
    }
}

something.click(function() {
    codeArray.create();
    codeArray.print();
});

So the issue I am running into is because of the scope of the functions nested inside codeArray I cannot access them from outside codeArray. Would it be bad practice of encapsulation to just get rid of the wrapper codeArray function? Can someone suggest a better re-write for how to do this?

Thanks in advance.

Easier to use a map as the Class concept, then storing the variables (properties) and functions (methods) inside as entries. There are more ways of course. — user1467267
– user1467267, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 18:30
You seem to be expecting the semantics of one language to automatically transfer to another. Don't do that. They're different languages. You need to approach a new one as potentially being entirely different. — silly little me
– silly little me, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 18:31
@sillylittleme I am not trying to simply translate code from one language to another, I am simply trying to solve a problem. I know how I would solve the problem in Java and I was asking how to solve the problem in JavaScript. If the answer included a completely different way structure a program that would have been fine. — recneps
– recneps, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 18:50
Well my point is that there's no reason to think the code you included would work. There's no shortage of resources dealing with object orientation in JavaScript. I'd suggest reading some tutorials. Your answer below merely creates a single object with some properties. This doesn't seem like what you were after. — silly little me
– silly little me, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 18:53

Niet the Dark Absol · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-23 18:32:12Z

7

You're almost right. You should be using an object instead:

codeArray = {
    create:function() {
       // ...
    },
    // ...
    print:function() {
       // ...
    }
};

Then you can call:

codeArray.create();
codeArray.print();

answered Apr 23, 2013 at 18:32

Niet the Dark Absol

326k86 gold badges480 silver badges604 bronze badges

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

2 Comments

silly little me Over a year ago

This duplicates a class structure?

user1467267 Over a year ago

In common (virtual) sense; yes. Try this article for further reading; phpied.com/3-ways-to-define-a-javascript-class. Stuff like inheritance, static methods and singletons you can probably forget. Maybe you can simulate it, but it wouldn't be pretty.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

JavaScript nesting functions and using them

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related