Add method to all objects

@posiden5665Feb 03.2009

Alright well I know that I can add methods to objects and what not but is there a way I can add a method to all objects or possibly an object superclass?

Cause I would like to be able to do something like this

All elements on the page now are able to use methodA by going like this

results = element.methodA();
results2 = elementQ.methodA();

Without having to go through and add the method to each element.

Will just doing document.prototype work since its the super class of all the other elements. Or would I have to go about it some other way? I ask if document.prototype would work because I’m at school and cant really test it out here

to post a comment

JavaScript

11 Comments(s) _↴

@voidvectorFeb 03.2009 — #Note that both methods can easily break existing code or libraries using [COLOR="Red"]for (.. in ..)[/COLOR].

1) For IE8 and current versions of most other browsers, you can access the Element prototype.

<i>
 </i>Element.prototype.methodA = function () { ... }

2) For all browsers, you can overload the Object prototype itself. This method is very prone to the above mentioned problem.

<i>
 </i>Object.prototype.methodA = function () { ... }

@toicontienFeb 03.2009 — #By [B]element[/B] do you mean a Document Object Model node? If so, I don't believe the JavaScript currently supported by browsers allows you to do this. You can add methods to ALL objects:

[CODE]Object.prototype.methodA = function() {
 // Code here
 };[/CODE]

Then EVERY object has this method, including arrays, functions, DOM nodes, including strings, numbers and boolean variables when used as objects (e.g. var total = 0; [B]total.toString()[/B]).

@posiden5665authorFeb 03.2009 — #Ah ok thank you toi I meant to say Object.prototype up there not document.prototype thank you and now I can test it out when i get home to try and get stuff working thank you

@posiden5665authorFeb 03.2009 — #Actually I am having problems with IE and the Object.prototype

So i am trying to do this:
function methodA(classN, tagType)

and add it to all objects using this
Object.prototype.getMethodA = methodA

And it works perfectly fine in FF but not IE its failing and saying the object doesnt have that method.

@toicontienFeb 03.2009 — #It would be easier to use do:

[CODE]Object.prototype.getMethodA = function() {
 // Code here
 };[/CODE]

That way you aren't cluttering up the global name space with unnecessary functions.

From what you posted, there aren't any errors. Can you please post the [I]full[/I] JavaScript code you are using to extend the Object class? The problem must be elsewhere.

@posiden5665authorFeb 03.2009 — #I do it that way because I like it that way and I can

Anyway

It doesnt matter what I put i could put something as simple as

Object.prototype.testing = function(){
 alert("hello");
 };

And whenever I try and run it IE says its not a property or method.

@posiden5665authorFeb 03.2009 — #Ok so I found out that it is setting it in IE for Object.testing() and I can do that fine but if i wanna do something like document.testing() it wont work and says its not there

@rnd_meFeb 04.2009 — #Ok so I found out that it is setting it in IE for Object.testing() and I can do that fine but if i wanna do something like document.testing() it wont work and says its not there[/QUOTE]

it works in firefox.

IE doesn't like to share certain native objects like document, activeX, etc.

@posiden5665authorFeb 04.2009 — #Anywork around cause I need to be able to add it to document and crap I'd like to be able to do things like so:

test = document.addedMethod("argument")

hello = test.addedMethod("argument")

Just like you can do with this:

crap = document.getElementById("id")

hello = crap.getElementById("id2")

@rnd_meFeb 04.2009 — #Anywork around cause I need to be able to add it to document and crap I'd like to be able to do things like so:

[/QUOTE]

you can create a custom object upon the first use, and bind your methods to that custom object.

it's a bit complicated, but it works well, and won't interfere with outside code like .prototype will.

jQuery is probably the most famous example of this approach.

@posiden5665authorFeb 04.2009 — #Damn alright well thanks for the help

Also in #JavaScript _↴

Display custom header based on url.toggling div display:none from unrelated <a> (jQuery?)need help with my small javascripts codes

Success!

Help @posiden5665 spread the word by sharing this article on Twitter...

Tweet This

Add method to all objects

11 Comments(s) _↴

Also in #JavaScript _↴

Success!

Social

Version

Add method to all objects

11 Comments(s) ↴

Also in #JavaScript ↴

Success!

The web is an endless sea of information. Don't miss the boat... Subscribe!

Social

Version

11 Comments(s) _↴

Also in #JavaScript _↴