Set variable for a JS function

Question

So basically I have a JS function which looks like:

var myFunc = function () {
  var settings = {/*my default settings */};  
  function otherFunc(arg){
    /*do stuff*/
  }
  otherFunc(settings);
  return {settings:settings};
}()

Now, using the console I can call myFunc.settings and it will perfectly output these, however I want to user to overwrite the default settings such as:

<script src="myfunc.js"></script>
<script>myFunc.settings = {/*overwrite some settings*/};</script>

Now myFunc.settings are the new settings, yet the function still uses the 'old' settings. Any clue how I would go about this?

Thanks!

what do you mean by "the function still uses the old setting"? — grape_mao
– grape_mao, Commented Sep 8, 2013 at 22:50
the myFunc is actually not a function, it's the return value of your anonymous function. — grape_mao
– grape_mao, Commented Sep 8, 2013 at 22:54
@grape_mao When the function is called, it uses the default settings and not the settings that has been set afterwards — japborst
– japborst, Commented Sep 8, 2013 at 23:00
because like I said, your myFunc is the return value of that function. You change a value of the return value, of course the function who finished execution won't see it. Have a look at Kyle Weller's answer, he defines a constructor, you can then create new object with it. — grape_mao
– grape_mao, Commented Sep 8, 2013 at 23:06

Ryan Bigg · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-08 22:42:33Z

1

I don't know why myFunc is even a function. It should be an object:

var myThing = {
  settings: {/*my default settings */};  
}

Then you can call myThing.settings to get the default settings.

answered Sep 8, 2013 at 22:42

Ryan Bigg

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Rob Hruska · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-08 22:45:38Z

0

You can make it a property (and not local) with this:

function MyFunc () {
  this.settings = {/*my default settings */};  
};
MyFunc.settings = { foo: 'bar' };
console.log(MyFunc.settings); // Object {foo: 'bar'}

That may expose more than you really want, so you might consider allowing options to be passed when you're constructing whatever you're creating:

function MyFunc (options) {
  var defaults = { foo: 'baz' };
  var settings = /* merge defaults and options */;

  /* You probably don't even need to expose settings now. */
};
var instance = new MyFunc({ foo: 'bar' });

answered Sep 8, 2013 at 22:45

Rob Hruska

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1 Comment

japborst Over a year ago

Thanks. Using the 2nd alternative now. Works like a charm ;-)

Kyle Weller · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-08 22:45:24Z

0

have an argument where you can pass in settings, if the argument is not supplied, revert to default settings:

var myFunc = function (newSettings) {
  var settings = newSettings || {/*my default settings */};  
  //do something
  return {settings:settings};
}

answered Sep 8, 2013 at 22:45

Kyle Weller

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