Function identity in javascript

Question

The following is unintuitive behavior in javascript,

function function1 () {};
function function2 () {};

var class_a_functions = {function1:true, function2:true};
var contained = function1 in class_a_functions;//false
var equals = function1.name in class_a_functions;//true

Why does the in containment test fail even though I have inserted the functions, not their names, into the dictionary?

EDIT: If it isn't obvious, I am aware that function1.name is "function1". This is why I asked why the test fails "even though I have inserted the functions, not their names".

should be var contained = 'function1' in class_a_functions; or contained = function1.name in class_a_function — dandavis
– dandavis, Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 4:56
that's exactly why I am asking the question. also note that function.name isn't supported in IE. — ealfonso
– ealfonso, Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 4:57
You can't use a function as an object key (if that's what you're trying to illustrate). Object keys are strings only. There is an object that lets you keep track of a set of other objects (which could be functions too) here: github.com/jfriend00/Javascript-Set. It does that by automatically coining a unique string as a key property for each object and using that key in the ObjectSet. — jfriend00
– jfriend00, Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 5:23
You haven't "inserted the functions". First, unlike python, in JS { key: value } syntax treats key as literal "key". You'd need { [function1]: true } syntax for a dynamic key. BUT JS objects coerce all keys to strings anyway! Play with [ function1, function2 ] for a container actually holding functions. — Beni Cherniavsky-Paskin
– Beni Cherniavsky-Paskin, Commented Jul 10, 2023 at 10:16

Roko C. Buljan · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-08 05:32:25Z

3

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/in

// Arrays
var trees = new Array("redwood", "bay", "cedar", "oak", "maple");
0 in trees        // returns true
3 in trees        // returns true
6 in trees        // returns false cause there's no 6th key in trees Array
"bay" in trees    // returns false (you must specify the 
                  // index number, not the value at that index)
"length" in trees // returns true (length is an Array property)

That's why it returns false

On the other case, class_a_functions[0] is the reference to the stored function in Array that's why equality returns true cause fn1() === fn1()

Now after your edited question the above seems like nonsense so I'll answer further:

var class_a_functions = {function1:true, function2:true};

Is now and object where function1 and function2 are simple Properties holding true as Value.

var contained = function1 in class_a_functions;//false

The above returns false cause there's no "function1" Function inside the Object reference class_a_functions

var equals = function1.name in class_a_functions;//true

The above... well, let's go back to MDN, says:

Summary:
The in operator returns true if the specified property
is in the specified object.

So you have a property of function1 Now let's see if is present in the Object class_a_functions ... Yes. So TRUE

edited Aug 8, 2014 at 5:32

answered Aug 8, 2014 at 4:48

Roko C. Buljan

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7 Comments

jfriend00 Over a year ago

@erjoalgo - He's showing that in applies to array indexes, not to contents of the array. A few more words of text would improve the answer.

ealfonso Over a year ago

Ok. I need to rephrase the question then, sorry

Hanky Panky Over a year ago

This has a lot to do with the question. First read the linked Document then notice how IN is actually working

ealfonso Over a year ago

ok. So I was the one to make the mistake, thinking that I could describe the problem more simply with an array instead of a dictionary.

jfriend00 Over a year ago

@erjoalgo - here's an ObjectSet if that's really what you're looking for: github.com/jfriend00/Javascript-Set

|

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:33:31Z

1

I'm not sure why most of the answers are so trivial and don't really address the underlying issue motivating the question, which is that getting the memory address/object hash/object id in javascipt is "impossible", and therefore the equality testing by object reference is also "impossible".

How can I get the memory address of a JavaScript variable?

A solution for that containment problem is to monkey-patch an object to contain a unique property/string that can be used as a key.

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:33

CommunityBot

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answered Aug 8, 2014 at 5:15

ealfonso

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1 Comment

Qantas 94 Heavy Over a year ago

If you believe your answer is the best one here, you should accept your own answer instead.

GramThanos · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-08 04:50:27Z

0

The in is used to identify the key not the value.

answered Aug 8, 2014 at 4:50

GramThanos

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Mark · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-08 04:50:47Z

0

The in operator tests if a property is in an object. function1 is not a property of the array, it's a member.

answered Aug 8, 2014 at 4:50

Mark

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Comments

Mritunjay · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-08 05:05:36Z

0

There should be

'function1' in class_a_functions;//true

This is because

In a dictionary

obj = {key:5}

this is equal to

obj = {"key":5} // so it will be stored as string

If you will see the docs it says prop is A string or numeric expression representing a property name or array index.

edited Aug 8, 2014 at 5:05

answered Aug 8, 2014 at 4:58

Mritunjay

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