I have this example code:

var foo = {

    self: this,

    init: function(){

        self.doStuff();
    },

    doStuff: function(){
        alert('doing stuff');   
    }

}

foo.init();

Why the refence "self" doesn't work?

Thanks!

I have this example code:

var foo = {

    self: this,

    init: function(){

        self.doStuff();
    },

    doStuff: function(){
        alert('doing stuff');   
    }

}

foo.init();

Why the refence "self" doesn't work?

Thanks!

• javascript
• object
• self-reference

• Think about this: When creating the object foo, what scope are you in and what would this be (given that the smallest scope in JavaScript is a function)? – J. Holmes Commented Dec 1, 2011 at 20:25
• 1 possible duplicate of Self-references in object literal declarations – Bergi Commented Jan 10, 2014 at 16:11
• possible duplicate of How can a Javascript object refer to values in itself? – givanse Commented Mar 10, 2014 at 3:53

4 Answers 4

Because at the time you declare the object literal this is not a reference to the object, but to whatever the calling context is.

The value of this is determined by how the current function was called. It does not refer to the current object.

This will work:

var foo = {
    init: function(){
        this.doStuff();
    },
    doStuff: function(){
        alert('doing stuff');   
    }
};

foo.init();

Since when you call foo.init(), this becomes foo.

Following up on Qeuntin's response you would use the following to achieve what you're looking for

var foo = {

    self: false,

    init: function(){
        self = this
        self.doStuff();
    },

    doStuff: function(){
        alert('doing stuff');   
    },
}

EDIT: Since it's been pointed out that whilst this solves OP's problem (i.e it works) it isn't exactly how you should go about it. So, here's a scoping reference.

function A()
{
    //Semi-private / hidden var
    var pVar = "I'm a private, err hidden, variable",
        //fn (technically a var)
        pFn = function(){},
        //empty var, placholder for hidden fn
        privatePlaceholderFn;

    //Instance-time... public fn
   this.instancePublicFn = function()
    {
        console.log("--- instace public ---");
        //Print hidden var to cosole
        console.log(pVar);
        //Call hidden fn
        instancePrivateFn();
        console.log("--->Setting  private from instance public")
        //Set the hidden fn
        setPrivate();
        console.log("--- / instance public ---");
    }
    //Pass fn to private method.
    this.setPrivFromOutside = function(fn)
    {
        setPrivateFromPrivateYetOutside(fn);
    }

    //Set the hidden fn
    this.iPFnPlaceholderSetter = function(fn)
    {
        privatePlaceholderFn = fn;
    }

    //Call the semi-private / hidden fn
    this.callPrivate = function()
    {
       privatePlaceholderFn();
    }
    //A misnomer, proves the scope exists. See "function setPrivate()"
    this.setPrivateFromInstance = function()
    {
        //Prove scope exists
        console.log(privatePlaceholderFn);
        console.log("Private From instance - gets inside scope");

    }
    //Set hidden fn from private method
    function setPrivate()
    {
        privatePlaceholderFn = function()
        {
            //Show scope exists
            console.log(pVar);
        }
    }
    //Set the hidden fn from hidden method
    function setPrivateFromPrivateYetOutside(fn)
    {
        //fn's scope won't resolve to inside
        privatePlaceholderFn = fn;
    }
    //Private / hidden messager
    function instancePrivateFn()
    {
        //Just loggin' something
        console.log("Instance Private method");
    }
}
//Add an object method to the prototype
A.prototype.protoPuFn = function(){
    console.log("---> Private var from object literal method");
    //console.log(pVar)
}

//...
a = new A();

//Add object literal fn
a.objFn = function()
{
    console.log("Object literal defined public fn - Gets outside scope");
    //console.log(pVar);
}
//Set private / hidden placeholder fn
a.iPFnPlaceholderSetter(function()
{
    console.log("Hidden fn, passed through instance public - gets outside scope");
    //console.log(pVar);
});
//Attempt to read hidden var
console.log(a.pVar);
//Call object literal defined fn
a.objFn();
//Call the hidden fn
a.callPrivate();
//Call prototype added fn
a.protoPuFn();
//Call instance added public fn
a.instancePublicFn();
//Call private / hidden method (set
a.callPrivate();
//Same as iPFnPlaceholderSetter except the param is passed to a hidden method, before seting.
a.setPrivFromOutside(function()
{
    console.log("-->Passed from outside, through public then private setters");
    //console.log(pVar)
})
//Call the hidden method
a.callPrivate();
//Set hidden fn from instance public
a.setPrivateFromInstance();
//Call the hidden method.
a.callPrivate();
//Use evi(a)l fn to steal scope.
a.evil("this.meth = function(){console.log(pVar)}");
//Call fn with stolen scope
a.meth();

ES6 provides getters for the object properties, so you can use them to reference the object itself and to use its other members:

var foo = {
     prop1: 1,

     get prop2() { return this.prop1 + 1; }
}

// foo.prop2 = 2;