javascript module creation and initialization

Question

My js does this:

var MyClass ={
        a: 1,
        b: 2,
        init: function(message){ console.log("calling c to say "+message);};
 };

 MyClass.init("hello");

//all above code is in js file

I keep seeing the IIFE pattern all over, but I am afraid I don't see what benefit it gets me compared to above. I have a module MyClass and ability to call methods on it. Is there a downside to using this pattern ?

the downside is that it's a plain object and you don't have the encapsulation provided by a closure. — VLAZ
– VLAZ, Commented Aug 12, 2016 at 20:33
Could you please elaborate on that ? I understand what is happening in the below answer, but that has nothing to do with my module creation. The answer is just exeuting a function and some code. There is no module or enacapsulation being created. Are you saying in my object I can access MyClass.a and MyClass.b etc., but if I were to use an IIFE, would be able to control that ? If I had to rewrite this as an IIFE how would I do it ? thanks I am js newb — Ka Pr
– Ka Pr, Commented Aug 12, 2016 at 21:18
Of course there is encapsulation - you cannot reach x because it's inside the closure. The answer doesn't create a module but it's because the intention is to show what your solution would be lacking, not because it's showing "how to make a module". Given that you claim you know that already, it'd be redundant to go over it again. — VLAZ
– VLAZ, Commented Aug 12, 2016 at 21:20
When I claim to be able to make a module, I a referring to the MyClass code above. If I had no need to have private variables like x, would my way of making "module" be sufficient ? If not could you please show me how to with IIFE ? I am going to have take a long look at it to understand — Ka Pr
– Ka Pr, Commented Aug 12, 2016 at 21:36
I wrote an answer about that a couple of weeks back, it's verbose but I think it should answer your questions. Feel free to check the links in there for additional information on the subject - most notably closures (also shows up as related in this question) and the links I have on different takes on the module pattern. — VLAZ
– VLAZ, Commented Aug 12, 2016 at 21:50

TimoStaudinger · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-12 20:33:42Z

1

An IIFE is used to create a new function scope to avoid leaking variables into the global scope:

(function() {
    var x = 1;
    console.log(x); // 1
})();

console.log(x);     // undefined

This has basically nothing to do with calling a function stored in an object as in your example.

answered Aug 12, 2016 at 20:33

TimoStaudinger

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