Develop Reference

Swapping hardcoded arguments for variables

I've got a functional script on my site that allows me to open a link in a new window when a specific class is added to the link. I need a lot of those on my site though so I figured I'd make the script a bit easier to edit by working with variables.
In the process of changing out hardcoded strings for variables my script stopped working though. The only one that works is the var where I set the url.
I'm learning that ${} doesn't work everywhere. Hope that someone can point out where my thinking is wrong. Also hope that I got the terminology right, trying to learn though! :-)
var function1Name = "test_function";
var function1Url = "https://www.google.com";
var function1Class = ".test_function_class";
function ${function1Name}() {
window.open(function1Url, "_blank", "height=200");
}
jQuery("${function1Class}").click(function(){
${function1Name}()
});

None of your uses of ${} are valid JavaScript syntax.
Your function declaration van be replaced with:
window[function1Name] = function () {
window.open(function1Url, "_blank", "height=200");
}
Please note that the function will no longer be hoisted when declared this way, so order of operation matters.
The click handler can be written as follows:
jQuery(function1Class).click(function() { // Note that I just used the variable there.
window[function1Name]();
});
There is a ${} concept in JavaScript, but that is only in template literals:
const myVariable = "Foo";
const message = `myVariable contains: "${myVariable}"!`;
console.log(message);

There's several syntax issues here.
Firstly, function ${function1Name}() is not valid syntax. Function names must be defined before runtime. If you want to dynamically access a function, place it in an object and set the key with the variable reference.
Secondly, ${function1Name}() is again not valid syntax. You cannot invoke a function like that dynamically. Referring to the suggestion above, you can access an object dynamically so the first point fixes this problem.
Thirdly, string interpolation only works within template literals, so you need to delimit the string with backticks: ``. However it's completely redundant here as you can just use $(function1Class)
With those issues in mind, here's an updated example:
var function1Name = "test_function";
var function1Url = "https://www.google.com";
var function1Class = ".test_function_class";
var funcObj = {
[function1Name]: function() {
console.log(`function called, window would open here containing ${function1Url}...`);
// window.open(function1Url, "_blank", "height=200");
}
}
$(function1Class).click(function() {
funcObj[function1Name]()
});
/*
alternative using a template literal, although note that it's redundant here
$(`${function1Class}`).click(function() {
funcObj[function1Name]()
});
*/
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
Click me
One last thing to note is that no version of IE supports template literals, so be sure of your browser support requirements before using them.

So cool, I got it to work!
var function1Name = "test_function_1";
var function1Url = "https://www.google.com";
var function1Class = ".test_function_class1";
var function2Name = "test_function_2";
var function2Url = "https://www.cnn.com";
var function2Class = ".test_function_class2";
// Function 1
window[function1Name] = function () {
window.open(function1Url, "_blank", "toolbar=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,top=500,left=500,width=600,height=745");
}
jQuery(function1Class).click(function() {
window[function1Name]();
});
// Function 2
window[function2Name] = function () {
window.open(function2Url, "_blank", "toolbar=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,top=500,left=500,width=600,height=745");
}
jQuery(function2Class).click(function() {
window[function2Name]();
});
I can now add a bunch of url's and corresponding classes as was my intention. Super happy about that.
A follow up question though, as I'll have to experiment with what the ideal window parameters will be I'm trying to make those arguments variables as well. I've tried the examples of how to insert a variables output from the functional code but those methods don't work there. Here's that code:
var windowWidth = 250
var function1Name = "test_function_1";
var function1Url = "https://www.google.com";
var function1Class = ".test_function_class1";
var function2Name = "test_function_2";
var function2Url = "https://www.cnn.com";
var function2Class = ".test_function_class2";
// Function 1
window[function1Name] = function () {
window.open(function1Url, "_blank", "toolbar=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,top=500,left=500,width=[windowWidth],height=745");
}
jQuery(function1Class).click(function() {
window[function1Name]();
});
// Function 2
window[function2Name] = function () {
window.open(function2Url, "_blank", "toolbar=no,status=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,top=500,left=500,width=600,height=745");
}
jQuery(function2Class).click(function() {
window[function2Name]();
});
How would I insert the variables value (2nd line of Function1) there ?

How can I keep same function names meant for different things in their own scope (It may not be the right word)?

I have created two different independent scripts to update two different canvas. The problem is that some of the function names in both the scripts are same. This is going to result in conflicts.
I could combine them together to form a big script but that will soon become messy if I try to add more functionality. Similarly, naming every function differently will be tedious and error prone.
Is there some way, I can keep the scripts with same function names on a single page without any conflict?
Here is my code:
var DropEffect = {
var dropSize, speed;
var createDrops = function () {
var canvas = document.getElementById("drop");
....
};
}
This is the error I get:
Unexpected token name «dropSize», expected punc «:»

Try to do it like this:
File 1:
var nm1 = {
myFunction: function(){
}
}
File 2:
var nm2 = {
myFunction: function(){
}
}
Now, whenever you want to access, use nm1.myFunction() or nm2.myFunction();
In general such kind of objects are called namespaces.
After you modified question,
var DropEffect = {
var dropSize, speed;
var createDrops = function () {
var canvas = document.getElementById("drop");
....
};
}
This is not correct. You are creating variables inside an object (namespace).Objects just understand key-value pairs. Better do it like this,
var DropEffect = {
dropSize : "",
speed : "",
createDrops : function () {
var canvas = document.getElementById("drop");
....
};
}
and now use it as: DropEffect.dropSize etc.

You can wrap code in IIFE's like this:
(function(){
var theFunction = function(){
console.log('foo');
};
theFunction();
}());
(function(){
var theFunction = function(){
console.log('bar');
};
theFunction();
}());

Passing $(this) to jQuery .hover() functions

I wrote a simple tooltip functionality, to be seen here.
The thing is, in both handler functions set in .hover() I need access to $(this) and other 2 variables based on it. In order do achieve that, I declare the same 3 variables in both handlers:
$('a').hover(
function () {
var $this = $(this);
var link_offset = $this.offset();
var link_tooltip = $this.data('tooltip');
// Rest of the code
},
function () {
var $this = $(this);
var link_offset = $this.offset();
var link_tooltip = $this.data('tooltip');
// Rest of the code
}
);
DRY principle should be respected, so my question is: Is there other and smarter/less dirty way of passing the same variables set to both functions within .hover()?
Obvioulsy, the variables can't be global (and globals are evil anyway).
Any ideas how to achieve this with jQuery or pure JS?

Call one named function inside the anonymous callbacks:
$('a').hover(function() {
hoverFunc($(this), true)
}, function() {
hoverFunc($(this), false)
});
function hoverFunc($this, is_hovered) {
var link_offset = $this.offset();
var link_tooltip = $this.data('tooltip');
if (is_hovered) {
console.log('ok')
// do something
} else {
console.log('out')
// do something else
};
}
http://jsfiddle.net/mblase75/8njk2m32/

Functional object basics. How to go beyond simple containers?

On the upside I'm kinda bright, on the downside I'm wracked with ADD. If I have a simple example, that fits with what I already understand, I get it. I hope someone here can help me get it.
I've got a page that, on an interval, polls a server, processes the data, stores it in an object, and displays it in a div. It is using global variables, and outputing to a div defined in my html. I have to get it into an object so I can create multiple instances, pointed at different servers, and managing their data seperately.
My code is basically structured like this...
HTML...
<div id="server_output" class="data_div"></div>
JavaScript...
// globals
var server_url = "http://some.net/address?client=Some+Client";
var data = new Object();
var since_record_id;
var interval_id;
// window onload
window.onload(){
getRecent();
interval_id = setInterval(function(){
pollForNew();
}, 300000);
}
function getRecent(){
var url = server_url + '&recent=20';
// do stuff that relies on globals
// and literal reference to "server_output" div.
}
function pollForNew(){
var url = server_url + '&since_record_id=' + since_record_id;
// again dealing with globals and "server_output".
}
How would I go about formatting that into an object with the globals defined as attributes, and member functions(?) Preferably one that builds its own output div on creation, and returns a reference to it. So I could do something like...
dataOne = new MyDataDiv('http://address/?client');
dataOne.style.left = "30px";
dataTwo = new MyDataDiv('http://different/?client');
dataTwo.style.left = "500px";
My code is actually much more convoluted than this, but I think if I could understand this, I could apply it to what I've already got. If there is anything I've asked for that just isn't possible please tell me. I intend to figure this out, and will. Just typing out the question has helped my ADD addled mind get a better handle on what I'm actually trying to do.
As always... Any help is help.
Thanks
Skip
UPDATE:
I've already got this...
$("body").prepend("<div>text</div>");
this.test = document.body.firstChild;
this.test.style.backgroundColor = "blue";
That's a div created in code, and a reference that can be returned. Stick it in a function, it works.
UPDATE AGAIN:
I've got draggable popups created and manipulated as objects with one prototype function. Here's the fiddle. That's my first fiddle! The popups are key to my project, and from what I've learned the data functionality will come easy.

This is pretty close:
// globals
var pairs = {
{ div : 'div1', url : 'http://some.net/address?client=Some+Client' } ,
{ div : 'div2', url : 'http://some.net/otheraddress?client=Some+Client' } ,
};
var since_record_id; //?? not sure what this is
var intervals = [];
// window onload
window.onload(){ // I don't think this is gonna work
for(var i; i<pairs.length; i++) {
getRecent(pairs[i]);
intervals.push(setInterval(function(){
pollForNew(map[i]);
}, 300000));
}
}
function getRecent(map){
var url = map.url + '&recent=20';
// do stuff here to retrieve the resource
var content = loadResoucrce(url); // must define this
var elt = document.getElementById(map.div);
elt.innerHTML = content;
}
function pollForNew(map){
var url = map.url + '&since_record_id=' + since_record_id;
var content = loadResoucrce(url); // returns an html fragment
var elt = document.getElementById(map.div);
elt.innerHTML = content;
}
and the html obviously needs two divs:
<div id='div1' class='data_div'></div>
<div id='div2' class='data_div'></div>
Your 'window.onload` - I don't think that's gonna work, but maybe you have it set up correctly and didn't want to bother putting in all the code.
About my suggested code - it defines an array in the global scope, an array of objects. Each object is a map, a dictionary if you like. These are the params for each div. It supplies the div id, and the url stub. If you have other params that vary according to div, put them in the map.
Then, call getRecent() once for each map object. Inside the function you can unwrap the map object and get at its parameters.
You also want to set up that interval within the loop, using the same parameterization. I myself would prefer to use setTimeout(), but that's just me.
You need to supply the loadResource() function that accepts a URL (string) and returns the HTML available at that URL.
This solves the problem of modularity, but it is not "an object" or class-based approach to the problem. I'm not sure why you'd want one with such a simple task. Here's a crack an an object that does what you want:
(function() {
var getRecent = function(url, div){
url = url + '&recent=20';
// do stuff here to retrieve the resource
var content = loadResoucrce(url); // must define this
var elt = document.getElementById(div);
elt.innerHTML = content;
}
var pollForNew = function(url, div){
url = url + '&since_record_id=' + since_record_id;
var content = loadResoucrce(url); // returns an html fragment
var elt = document.getElementById(div);
elt.innerHTML = content;
}
UpdatingDataDiv = function(map) {
if (! (this instanceof arguments.callee) ) {
var error = new Error("you must use new to instantiate this class");
error.source = "UpdatingDataDiv";
throw error;
}
this.url = map.url;
this.div = map.div;
this.interval = map.interval || 30000; // default 30s
var self = this;
getRecent(this.url, this.div);
this.intervalId = setInterval(function(){
pollForNew(self.url, self.div);
}, this.interval);
};
UpdatingDataDiv.prototype.cancel = function() {
if (this.intervalId) {
clearInterval(this.intervalId);
this.intervalId = null;
}
}
})();
var d1= new UpdatingDataDiv('div1','http://some.net/address?client=Some+Client');
var d2= new UpdatingDataDiv('div2','http://some.net/otheraddress?client=Some+Client');
...
d1.cancel();
But there's not a lot you can do with d1 and d2. You can invoke cancel() to stop the updating. I guess you could add more functions to extend its capability.

OK, figured out what I needed. It's pretty straight forward.
First off disregard window.onload, the object is defined as a function and when you instantiate a new object it runs the function. Do your setup in the function.
Second, for global variables that you wish to make local to your object, simply define them as this.variable_name; within the object. Those variables are visible throughout the object, and its member functions.
Third, define your member functions as object.prototype.function = function(){};
Fourth, for my case, the object function should return this; This allows regular program flow to examine the variables of the object using dot notation.
This is the answer I was looking for. It takes my non-functional example code, and repackages it as an object...
function ServerObject(url){
// global to the object
this.server_url = url;
this.data = new Object();
this.since_record_id;
this.interval_id;
// do the onload functions
this.getRecent();
this.interval_id = setInterval(function(){
this.pollForNew();
}, 300000);
// do other stuff to setup the object
return this;
}
// define the getRecent function
ServerObject.prototype.getRecent = function(){
// do getRecent(); stuff
// reference object variables as this.variable;
}
// same for pollForNew();
ServerObject.prototype.pollForNew = function(){
// do pollForNew(); stuff here.
// reference object variables as this.variable;
}
Then in your program flow you do something like...
var server = new ServerObject("http://some.net/address");
server.variable = newValue; // access object variables
I mentioned the ADD in the first post. I'm smart enough to know how complex objects can be, and when I look for examples and explanations they expose certain layers of those complexities that cause my mind to just swim. It is difficult to drill down to the simple rules that get you started on the ground floor. What's the scope of 'this'? Sure I'll figure that out someday, but the simple truth is, you gotta reference 'this'.
Thanks
I wish I had more to offer.
Skip

call function inside a nested jquery plugin

There are many topics related to my question and i have been through most of them, but i haven't got it right. The closest post to my question is the following:
How to call functions that are nested inside a JQuery Plugin?
Below is the jquery plugin i am using. On resize, the element sizes are recalculated. I am now trying to call the function resizeBind() from outside of the jquery plugin and it gives me error
I tried the following combinations to call the function
$.fn.splitter().resizeBind()
$.fn.splitter.resizeBind()
Any ideas, where i am getting wrong?
;(function($){
$.fn.splitter = function(args){
//Other functions ......
$(window).bind("resize", function(){
resizeBind();
});
function resizeBind(){
var top = splitter.offset().top;
var wh = $(window).height();
var ww = $(window).width();
var sh = 0; // scrollbar height
if (ww <0 && !jQuery.browser.msie )
sh = 17;
var footer = parseInt($("#footer").css("height")) || 26;
splitter.css("height", wh-top-footer-sh+"px");
$("#tabsRight").css("height", splitter.height()-30+"px");
$(".contentTabs").css("height", splitter.height()-70+"px");
}
return this.each(function() {
});
};
})(jQuery);

I had the same problem. Those answers on related posts didn't work for my case either. I solved it in a round about way using events.
The example below demonstrates calling a function that multiplies three internal data values by a given multiplier, and returns the result. To call the function, you trigger an event. The handler in turn triggers another event that contains the result. You need to set up a listener for the result event.
Here's the plugin - mostly standard jQuery plugin architecture created by an online wizard:
(function($){
$.foo = function(el, options){
// To avoid scope issues, use 'base' instead of 'this'
var base = this;
// Access to jQuery and DOM versions of element
base.$el = $(el);
base.el = el;
// Add a reverse reference to the DOM object
base.$el.data("foo", base);
base.init = function(){
base.options = $.extend({},$.foo.defaultOptions, options);
// create private data and copy in the options hash
base.private_obj = {};
base.private_obj.value1 = (base.options.opt1);
base.private_obj.value2 = (base.options.opt2);
base.private_obj.value3 = (base.options.opt3);
// make a little element to dump the results into
var ui_element = $('<p>').attr("id","my_paragraph").html(base.private_obj.value1 +" "+ base.private_obj.value2+" " +base.private_obj.value3);
base.$el.append(ui_element);
// this is the handler for the 'get_multiplied_data_please' event.
base.$el.bind('get_multiplied_data_please', function(e,mult) {
bar = {};
bar.v1 = base.private_obj.value1 *mult;
bar.v2 = base.private_obj.value2 *mult;
bar.v3 = base.private_obj.value3 *mult;
base.$el.trigger("here_is_the_multiplied_data", bar);
});
};
base.init();
}
$.foo.defaultOptions = {
opt1: 150,
opt2: 30,
opt3: 100
};
$.fn.foo = function(options){
return this.each(function(){
(new $.foo(this, options));
});
};
})(jQuery);
So, you can attach the object to an element as usual when the document is ready. And at the same time set up a handler for the result event.
$(document).ready(function(){
$('body').foo();
$('body').live('here_is_the_multiplied_data', function(e, data){
console.log("val1:" +data.v1);
console.log("val2:" +data.v2);
console.log("val3:" +data.v3);
$("#my_paragraph").html(data.v1 +" "+ data.v2+" " +data.v3);
});
})
All that's left is to trigger the event and pass it a multiplier value
You could type this into the console - or trigger it from a button that picks out the multiplier from another UI element
$('body').trigger('get_multiplied_data_please', 7);
Disclaimer ;) - I'm quite new to jQuery - sorry if this is using a hammer to crack a nut.

resizeBind function is defined as private so you cannot access it from outside of it's scope. If you want to use it in other scopes you need to define it like that
$.fn.resizeBind = function() { ... }
Then you would call it like that $(selector').resizeBind()

You have defined the resizeBind function in a scope that is different from the global scope. If you dont'use another javascript framework or anything else that uses the $ function (to prevent conflict) you can delete the
(function($){
...
})(jQuery);
statement and in this way the function will be callable everywhere without errors

I didn't test it:
this.resizeBind = function() { .... }