Traversing between parent / child properties in nested JSON objects in JavaScript

Question

I have a json object and a property of which is a nested json. The nested json has a function as a property. I want to access a property in that outer json from that function in that inner json.

Let me explain with a dummy code,

{
  name: "Barry Allen",
  getName: function () { 
      return this.name; //this is returning "Barry Allen", which is fine
    },
  nestedJson: {
    getName: function () {
      //here I want something like return this.parent.name
    }
   }  
}

I want to access name from getName of nestedJson. Is it possible? Is there any parent child traversing mechanism/way in json and nested json objects in javascript?

Thanks in advance.

This is not JSON, JSON doesn't support functions. This is a JavaScript object. — Daniel Diekmeier
– Daniel Diekmeier, Commented May 18, 2016 at 14:28

Mike · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-18 15:41:27Z

4

This is a POJO (Plain Old JavaScript Object), not JSON.

The context of this inside nestedJson.getName() is different than the context of this inside the first-level .getName(). Since this object will already be defined by the time this function exists, you can use the object itself as a replacement for this.

var person = {
   name: "Some Guy",
       getName: function () { 
       return this.name;
   },
   nested: {
       getName: function () {
           return person.name;
       }
   }  
};

var try1 = person.getName();
var try2 = person.nested.getName();

console.log('try1', try1);
console.log('try2', try2);

That being said, I'd turn this into a different type of object. Read this: http://www.phpied.com/3-ways-to-define-a-javascript-class/

edited May 18, 2016 at 15:41

answered May 18, 2016 at 14:34

Mike

4,09125 silver badges36 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Z.Z. Over a year ago

Nice Approach. One thing, this inside nested.getName() should be whatever on the left side of getName(), in this case, it is nested object, not window

TruthSeeker Over a year ago

Thanks for the answer @Mike, Also thanks for the link, I will read it. But changing the object structure is not in my hand. I didn't write it :P

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Traversing between parent / child properties in nested JSON objects in JavaScript

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related