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Learn/JavaScript/Objects, Classes, and Advanced Patterns
JavaScript•Objects, Classes, and Advanced Patterns

JavaScript Object Accessors

Flash cards

Review the key moves

1/4
Core idea

What is the main idea behind JavaScript Object Accessors?

Lesson checks

Practice each idea before moving on

Short Mimo-style checks built from this lesson's code, terms, and sequence.

1Quick choice

Which statement best captures the main point of this lesson?

2Fill blank

Complete the missing token from the example code.

// Create an object: ___ person = { firstName: "John", lastName: "Doe", language: "en", get lang() {
3Order

Put the learning moves in the order that makes the concept easiest to apply.

JavaScript Setter (The set Keyword)
JavaScript Getter (The get Keyword)
JavaScript Getters and Setters

JavaScript Getters and Setters

Getters and setters allow you to define Object Accessors (Computed Properties).

JavaScript Getter (The get Keyword)

This example uses a lang property to get the value of the language property.

Example

// Create an object: const person = { firstName: "John", lastName: "Doe", language: "en", get lang() {
return this.language;
}
};
// Display data from the object using a getter: document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = person.lang;

JavaScript Setter (The set Keyword)

This example uses a lang property to set the value of the language property.

Example

const person = {
  firstName: "John", lastName: "Doe", language: "", set lang(lang) {
    this.language = lang;
  }
};
// Set an object property using a setter: person.lang = "en"; // Display data from the object: document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = person.language;

JavaScript Function or Getter?

What is the differences between these two examples?

Example 1

const person = {
  firstName: "John", lastName: "Doe", fullName: function() {
    return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;
  }
};
// Display data from the object using a method: document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = person.fullName();

Example 2

const person = {
  firstName: "John", lastName: "Doe", get fullName() {
    return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;
  }
};
// Display data from the object using a getter: document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = person.fullName;

Example 1 access fullName as a function: person.fullName().

Example 2 access fullName as a property: person.fullName.

The second example provides a simpler syntax.

Data Quality

JavaScript can secure better data quality when using getters and setters.

Using the lang property, in this example, returns the value of the language property in upper case:

Example

// Create an object: const person = { firstName: "John", lastName: "Doe", language: "en", get lang() {
return this.language.toUpperCase();
}
};
// Display data from the object using a getter: document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = person.lang;

Using the lang property, in this example, stores an upper case value in the language property:

Example

const person = {
  firstName: "John", lastName: "Doe", language: "", set lang(lang) {
    this.language = lang.toUpperCase();
  }
};
// Set an object property using a setter: person.lang = "en"; // Display data from the object: document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = person.language;

Why Using Getters and Setters?

  • It gives simpler syntax
  • It allows equal syntax for properties and methods
  • It can secure better data quality
  • It is useful for doing things behind-the-scenes

Avoid getters or setters if you only need simple values (prevents overuse).

Object.defineProperty()

The Object.defineProperty() method can also be used to add Getters and Setters:

A Counter Example

// Define object
const obj = {counter : 0};
// Define setters and getters Object.defineProperty(obj, "reset", { get : function () {this.counter = 0;}
});
Object.defineProperty(obj, "increment", {
  get : function () {this.counter++;}
});
Object.defineProperty(obj, "decrement", {
  get : function () {this.counter--;}
});
Object.defineProperty(obj, "add", {
  set : function (value) {this.counter += value;}
});
Object.defineProperty(obj, "subtract", {
  set : function (value) {this.counter -= value;}
});
// Play with the counter: obj.reset; obj.add = 5; obj.subtract = 1; obj.increment; obj.decrement;

Advanced Chapters

JavaScript Object Definitions

JavaScript Object Advanced this

JavaScript Object Iterations

JavaScript Object Getters & Setters

JavaScript Object Management

JavaScript Object Protection

JavaScript Object Prototypes

JavaScript Object Reference

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