jQuery - function conflicts - javascript

I have a WordPress theme and I'm using a few jQuery plugins within it. The problem is that some of these plugins are included in other WP plugins, so the js breaks because of naming conflicts.
I was wondering if there is a way to somehow isolate a set of functions or a .js file from the rest of the scripts that are being included in the HTML document.
something like:
function wrap(){
plugin functions...
plugin functions...
}
jQuery(document).ready(function($){
wrap.pluginfunction()...
wrap.pluginfunction()...
});

The easiest way to do this is to wrap the whole script like this:
var someNewNamespace = (function () {
// Script goes here
// If you want to expose functions on the namespace:
var that = {};
// Declare a new function to expose:
that.someFunction = function () {
// ...
};
// Expose a function declared previously:
that.someOtherFunction = someFunctionDeclaredPreviously;
return that;
}();
This will effectively create a new namespace for the script. The someNewNamespace object will have members like someFunction etc. after this executes. Any variables declared within the anonymous outer function, but not exposed via the that object will be inaccessible from outside of the script.

jQuery has a noConflict() method so it won't kill other libraries.
Just call jQuery.noConflict(); after loading the jquery library and you should be set.

Related

Calling function/nested function from external js file

I'm having some issues with running some functions from an external js file.
The html includes:
<script src="js/file.js"></script>
<script>
$("#center-button").click(function() {
explodePage("center");
});
</script>
The js file includes:
var explodePage = function(button) {
//code here
aboutPage();
}
var aboutPage = function() {
//code here
}
The explodePage function runs fine, but as soon as it reaches the call to the nested aboutPage function, it starts throwing these uncaught typeerrors at me. It works fine if I don't use an external js file and just put everything into the html. Pretty new to this so probably missing something obvious in scope or something. Any solutions?
Declare the function's definition as below:
function explodePage(button) {
//code here
aboutPage();
}
function aboutPage() {
//code here
}
Explanation:
When you use the var keyword for declaring functions, the execution of JS happens as when the variable is initialized, you cannot reference or use variable's before declaration. In contrast with the name function defintion JS interpreter first picks the enclosed functions before execution and initializes it before the code execution. This is called AST- Abstract syntax tree that is followed by JS interpreters.
Also Remember:
Also bind your Jquery code inside a Jquery document ready function, just to make sure the Jquery and the DOM elements are available for the bindings.
It's not a good a idea to pollute the global window object with variables, since there can be collisions. And immediately-invoked function expression is a good solution for this.
(function(){
//You can declare your functions in here, and invoke them below
$( document ).ready(function() {
//Check that the DOM is ready, in order to manipulate it an add events
$("#center-button").click(function() {
explodePage("center");
});
});
})($); //Notice that we are injecting a dependency, in this case jQuery

Javascript Library Quickstart

I'm trying to build a Javascript library that will provide some functionality for a JQuery Plugin I'm putting together.
I got the following skeleton code from searching online although I'm not quite sure how it all works (I do know it's a closure). I've added my functions via declarations.
(function(window, document, $) {
function func_1(){
return 1;
}
function func_2(){
return 2;
}
})(window, document, jQuery);
So I put the above code in a separate JS file and then source it in my HTML page, then I run try to run the function like so (Note: I have JQuery set up as well):
<script type="text/javascript">
$(document).ready(function() {
console.log(func_1());
});
</script>
However, I seem to be getting some errors in Firebug (ReferenceError: func_1 is not defined).
I have two questions:
How do I call my functions?!
I'd like to be able to call the functions in the following format: className.functionName(). How do I restructure the skeleton code to enable me do this and, say, call my function like this: Device.func_1()?
Thanks for your anticipated assistance.
The closure is used to hide internal functions from the rest of the code. You need to explicitly expose the public functions of the library:
var Device = (function(window, document, $) {
function func_1(){
return 1;
}
function func_2(){
return 2;
}
var internalDevice = {
func_1: func_1,
func_2: func_2
};
return internalDevice; // expose functionality to the rest of the code
})(window, document, jQuery);
The (function(window, document, $) {})(window, document, jQuery); part is called an immediately invoked function expression (IIFE). It's used to avoid leaking all the library functions into the global scope. Otherwise, if some other library had a func_1 function it would either be overwritten or overwrite your library's func_1.
The arguments to the function are used to control how the library can affect other parts of the code and relies on it. For example, someone might overwrite the window.$ library so that $ is no longer available everywhere in the code. But since you have a local reference in the closure you can still access it.
Alternatively to using the code above - returning an object - you could also assign your library directly to the global scope:
(function(window, document, $) {
...
window.Device = internalDevice; // expose functionality to the rest of the code
})(window, document, jQuery);
I can only answer question number two, but you can create that by doing this:
var Device = {
function func_1()
{
// your first function
},
function func_2()
{
// your second function
}
};
That way you can just call:
Device.func_1();
Hop that helps :)
When something is inside a closure the scope of it is changed to that closure. func_1 and func_2 can only be seen inside the anonymous function calling them and below.

start javascript code with $(function, etc

I am studying Backbone and the todo example apps from http://todomvc.com/
I have noticed there are 3 severals ways of starting the code in the files:
$(function() {
// code here
});
$(function( $ ) {
// code here
});
(function() {
// code here
}());
I do not understand the differences and when I should use one over the other.
I also saw some people using this to start their code:
$(document).ready(function(){
// code here
});
From what I have seen, this is the full way of writing it right?
In a more general way, should I always include my javascript code into something like that in each files?
Thanks for your advice.
$(document).ready(function(){}) ensures that your code runs on DOM ready, so that you have access to the DOM. You can read more about this in jQuery's documentation.
$(function(){}) is just an alias to #1. Any code in here will wait for DOM ready (see the docs).
$(function($){}) is equivalent to #1 and #2, only you get a clean reference to jQuery in the local scope (see the note below). You can likewise pass in $ to the function in #1, and it'll do the same thing (create a local reference to jQuery).
(function(){}()) is just a self-executing-anonymous-function, used to create a new closure.
Please note that none of these are specific to Backbone. The first 3 are specific to jQuery, while #4 is just vanilla JavaScript.
Note: To understand what's going on in #3 above, remember that $ is an alias to jQuery. However, jQuery is not the only library that uses the $ variable. Since the $ might be overwritten by someone else, you want to ensure that within your scope, $ will always reference jQuery - hence the $ argument.
In the end, it basically boils down to the following 2 options:
If your JavaScript is loaded in the head, you have to wait for document ready, so use this:
jQuery(function($) {
// Your code goes here.
// Use the $ in peace...
});
If you load your JavaScript at the bottom of your document (before the closing body tag - which you should definitely be doing), then there's no need to wait for document ready (since the DOM is already constructed by the time the parser gets to your script), and a SEAF (A.K.A. IIFE) will suffice:
(function($) {
// Use the $ in peace...
}(jQuery));
P.S. For a good understanding of Closures and Scope, see JS101: A Brief Lesson on Scope.
I guess it makes sense to start out, by realizing that $ = jQuery. The purpose of which down below when reading about namespaces within anonymous functions will make more sense. But in essence, you can use either of them. One would use jQuery() instead of $() if they were using multiple libraries, and wanted the $ to be used by the other one.
$(document).ready(function(){
// Here we have jQuery(document) firing off the ready event
// which executes once the DOM has been created in
// order to ensure that elements you are trying to manipulate exist.
});
​$(function () {
// Short-hand version of $(document).ready(function () { });
});
More information on Document.ready()
Putting the $ within the parenthesis ensures the jQuery $ alias (you can be safe it always signifies jQuery this way).
$(function ($) { /* code here : $ always means jQuery now */ });
Lastly you have an IIFE (Immidiately-Invoked Function Expression)
- IIFE explanation
(function (myNameSpace, $) {
// This is an anonymous function - it is ran instantly
// Usually used for namespaces / etc
// This creates a scope/wrapper/closure around everything inside of it
}(window.myNameSpace, jQuery));
The $ at the top (with it's matching jQuery on the bottom) signify that the
$ (dollar sign) stands for jQuery within the scope of the namepsace.
This is done to ensure that other libraries do not collide with what the developer
intends/wants the $ to be used with.
(function (myNameSpace, $) {
// Now because of all of this scope/wrapper/closure awesome...
// you can create -INTERNAL- variables (sort of like Private variables from other langs)
// this variable cannot be accessed outside the namespace unless it is returned / exposed
var internalVariable = '123'; // Internal
// Even Internal functions!
function privateFunction () {
console.log('this is private!');
}
// --------------------------------------------------------
// Public -method- of nameSpace exposing a private variable
// Notice we're using the myNameSpace object we exposed at the top/bottom
myNameSpace.nameSpaceMethod = function () {
privateFunction(); // we can call the private function only inside of the namespace
return internalVariable; // now we could get this variable
};
}(window.myNameSpace, jQuery)); // notice these mirror the above arguments in the anon function
More information on anonymous functions
Now if we're outside of the namespace, we can see how these internal/public methods and variables are effected:
// This will come up undefined
alert(internalVariable);
// This will trigger a -method- of the myNameSpace namespace - and alert "123"
// Showcasing how we access a Public method - which itself has access to the internal variable
// and exposes it to us!
alert(myNameSpace.nameSpaceMethod());
​
These two:
$(function() {
// code here
});
$(document).ready(function(){
// code here
});
Are directly equivalent, they are both the way to start some jQuery when the document has loaded. The former is just a shorter version of the latter.
This one:
(function() {
// code here
}());
is just a scoped function with zero parameters, which is immediately called with zero parameters.

Accessing a function defined inside a function from the global scope?

Long story short, I have a long code that uses jQuery. Lots of files, functions, etc. A less than ideal amount of our users are having issues with our code because some addons, toolbars and the like they have installed breaks our JavaScript code because of jQuery gets included twice and nasty stuff like that.
I thought I could just
Include jQuery
Use $.noConflict
Then include the whole rest of my code between something like:
.
(function($) {
// All of my code goes here.
})(jQuery);
I haven't checked if this fixes our issues with those users, but it does work. The problem is, in one part of the site (image upload) we have an iframe that needs to call some of those functions defined in our big chunk of code. I've tried putting those functions out of this unnamed function call, but it uses, on itself, other functions which have to be there.
Any idea or workaround of how could I be able to access functions defined inside that function (shown above) from a code that's outside of it?
Thanks!
You cannot access a function context from the "outside world". Well, to be accorate you could do it in some older js engines which allowed for accessing .__parent__ attributes, but that is old'n'busted and no longer available.
However, you would need to either expose some functions within your closure, or you creating a namespace object where you write all of your logic in (which also has to be available in the parent context).
So I'd suggest something like
(function( $ ) {
function myFunc() {
// do stuff
}
function anotherFunc() {
}
window.myFunc = myFunc; // expose myFunc globally
}( jQuery ));
Maybe even better:
var myNameSpace = { };
(function( $ ) {
myNameSpace.myFunc = function() {
// do stuff
};
}( jQuery ));
// somewhere else
myNameSpace.myFunc();
It is not an ideal practice, but you can declare those functions in the global scope.
(function($) {
globalFunct = function (arg1, arg2) { // Don't use var keyword
...
};
})(jQuery);
It isn't ideal because you can run into naming collisions, much like you are observing with jQuery. Improve upon this approach by putting all of your globally-accessible methods in a "package." Choose a unique name for it. This will prevent collisions.
// Somewhere outside of your anonymous function, in the global scope
var myPackage = {};
(function($) {
myPackage.globalFunct = function (arg1, arg2) {
...
};
})(jQuery);
Then call that method by invoking myPackage.globalFunct().
Why are you wrapping your code in a call to the jQuery function object which you pass in to your self-executing anonymous function; are you meaning to create a jQuery object from all of your code?
In order to expose your code to the outside world, you need to assign your functions and objects to an object which is outside of the scope of your code, such as the window object.
For example, if you had created an object containing various methods and properties that you wanted to expose, you could do this:
//Your self-executing anonymous function
(function($)
{
//Object which contains various useful methods and properties
var useful = {...};
//Expose it to the outside world
window.Useful = useful;
})(jQuery);
EDIT: as others have noted, it is not an ideal solution as you will indeed run into naming collisions if you are not careful. Also, using an object external to your anonymous function as a namespacing object (as others have stated) is my preferred method
Yes, you can "export" the function from within a closure:
Yes, you can "export" the function from within a closure:
(function() {
function a() {
console.log("a");
}
function b() {
a();
console.log("b");
}
// make b globally available
window.b = b;
})();
b();
window.PARTY_CATS_jQuery = jQuery.noConflict(true);
(function($) {
$(function() {
// All of my code goes here.
});
})(COMPANY_NAME_jQuery);
Then just use PARTY_CATS_jQuery in your global functions
If you feel PARTY_CATS_ is not a unique enough name pick something safer like BABY_KILLER_jQuery

Enclosing external jQuery script

I have an external JavaScript file that will be used on pages with lots of other scripts. My script involves a lot of jQuery that listens for events, and by design, I have many global vars declared. I've been reading best practice articles, and a lot is said about 'polluting the global namespace' and inadvertent script interaction.
What's the best way to enclose (encapsulate?) my JavaScript file so that:
I can still access some of the
variables outside of the enclosure
The jQuery event listeners will
function properly
I'm not at liberty to disclose the code, so even general responses are appreciated. Additionally, any other tips on making scripts less vulnerable to other scripts on the page are welcome.
I've found enclosure styles for regular JavaScript, but does the use of jQuery complicate this?
Generally what this boils down to is encapsulating your objects into a "namespace". I use quotes there because the term is not an official semantic in JavaScript, but rather one that is achieved through basic object encapsulation.
There are several ways to do this, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
One approach is to just use a basic JS object, and keep everything in it. The name of the object should be semantic and give the object some meaning, but otherwise it's purpose is to just wrap your own code and keep it out of the global namespace.
var SomeName = {
alpha: 1,
beta: {a: 1, b: 2},
gamma: function(){
SomeName.alpha += 1;
}
}
In this case, only SomeName is in the global namespace. The one downside to this approach is that everything inside the namespace is public, and you have to use the full namespace to reference an object, instead of using 'this' - e.g. in SomeName.gamma we have to use SomeName.alpha to reference the contents of alpha.
Another approach is to make your namespace a function with properties. The nice feature of this approach is you can create 'private' variable through closures. It also gives you access to closured functions and variables without full namespace referencing.
var SomeName = (function(){
var self = this;
var privateVar = 1;
var privateFunc = function() { };
this.publicVar = 2;
this.publicFunc = function(){
console.log(privateVar);
console.log(this.publicVar); // if called via SomeName.publicFunc
setTimeout(function(){
console.log(self.publicVar);
console.log(privateVar);
}, 1000);
};
}();
The other bonus of this approach is it lets you protect the global variables you want to use. For example, if you use jQuery, AND another library that creates a $ variable, you can always insure you are referencing jQuery when using $ by this approach:
var SomeName = (function($){
console.log($('div'));
})(jQuery);
One method is to namespace like this:
var MyNamespace = {
doSomething: function() {},
reactToEvent: function() {},
counter: 0
}
You will just have to refer to the functions or variable using the namespace: MyNamespace.reactToEvent. This works fine for separating what you would normally have in the window (where all the confrontation is).
You can wrap your code in an anonymous Javascript function and only return what you want to expose to the outside world. You will need to prefix var to your global variables so that they remain only in the scope of the anonymous function. Something like this:
var myStuff = (function() {
var globalVar1;
var globalVar2;
var privateVar1;
function myFunction() {
...
}
function myPrivateFunction() {
...
}
return {
var1: globalVar1,
var2: globalVar2,
myFunction: myFunction
};
})();
Now you can access myStuff.var1 and myStuff.myFunction().
Two ways to encapsulate or limit namespace pollution
1) Create one global var and stuff everything you need into it.
var g = {};
g.somevar = "val";
g.someothervar = "val2";
g.method1 = function()
{
// muck with somevar
g.somevar = "something else";
};
2) For inline scripts, consider limiting the scope of the functions called.
<script>
(
function(window)
{
// do stuff with g.somevar
if(g.somevar=="secret base")
g.docrazystuff();
}
)(); // call function(window) then allow function(window) to be GC'd as it's out of scope now
</script>
I just started using RequireJS and have now become obsessed with it.
It's basically a dependency management system in a modular JavaScript format. By doing so you can virtually eliminate attaching anything to the global namespace.
What's nice is that you only reference one script on your page require.js then tell it what script to run first. From there it is all magic...
Here's an example implementation script:
require([
//dependencies
'lib/jquery-1.6.1'
], function($) {
//You'll get access to jQuery locally rather than globally via $
});
Read through the RequireJS API and see if this is right for you. I'm writing all my scripts like this now. It's great because at the top of each script you know exactly what you dependencies are similar to server-side languages - Java or C#.
This is a common practice with jQuery plugins for the same reasons you mention:
;(function ($) {
/* ... your code comes here ... */
})(jQuery);
This is an immediate function. If you declare your "global" variables inside, they will be local to this closure (still "global" for the code you create inside). Your event listeners will work inside here too, and you will still be able to reach real global variables.

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