How to run code in JavaScript, only when a variable is defined?

Question

I'm writing a simple function in JavaScript:

function waitThenRun(objectToWaitFor, callback) {
   // logic to periodically check for objectToWaitFor to become something
   // then call the callback
}

And I intend to use it as:

waitThenRun(someObjectThatWillBeDefinedLater, function() {
    // Doing something with someObjectThatWillBeDefinedLater
});

Yet I get this error:

Uncaught ReferenceError: someObjectThatWillBeDefinedLater is not defined

How do you handle this?

In simpler terms, I want to run a piece of code only when a global JSON variable is defined, and I can't determine when and where it gets defined. Sometimes it gets defined after my code, sometimes before my code, sometimes a second later, sometimes 5 seconds later. It's non-deterministic.

What do you mean you and I can't determine when it gets defined? Isn't it defined somewhere in your code? — Mark
– Mark, Commented Mar 9, 2019 at 20:02
I mean my code might run before its definition, or after its definition. It's non-deterministic. — Truth Pursuer
– Truth Pursuer, Commented Mar 9, 2019 at 20:05
Variables are passed by value, not by reference. There's no way for a function to test whether the variable is defined in the caller's scope. — Barmar
– Barmar, Commented Mar 9, 2019 at 20:05
@Barmar, then how do you make sure it's defined? It's somehow similar to jQuery's $(document).ready(), but for global JSON object. — Truth Pursuer
– Truth Pursuer, Commented Mar 9, 2019 at 20:08
You are fighting against the way things are done in javascript. Usually one would use a callback or an event listener to know when something has happened. You have code that is defining the variable — you should call your function or a callback there (this is how $(document).ready() works -- it takes a callback). Everything else with timers and polling will be a hack. — Mark
– Mark, Commented Mar 9, 2019 at 20:20

Unmitigated · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-10 18:18:54Z

You can dispatch an event on the window when you define your JSON Object and add an event listener for that event on the window. This way, you will not need to use a setInterval to continuously check if a global variable is defined.

function defineJSON(){
  window.JSONObj = {x: "something"};
  triggerEvent("JSONDefined", window, {JSONObjName: "JSONObj"});//fire a custom event on the window when you define the JSON Object
}
function triggerEvent(type, obj, data){
  var ev;
  if (document.createEvent) {
    ev = document.createEvent("HTMLEvents");
    ev.initEvent(type, true, true);
  } else {
    ev = document.createEventObject();
    ev.eventType = type;
  }
  ev.eventName = type;
  if(data){
   for(var key in data){
     if(data.hasOwnProperty(key)){
        ev[key] = data[key];
     }
   }
  }
  if (document.createEvent) {
    obj.dispatchEvent(ev);
  } else {
    obj.fireEvent("on" + ev.eventType, ev);//for < IE8
  }
}
window.addEventListener("JSONDefined", function(ev){
  //this event handler will be called when the JSON Object is defined
  console.log("JSON defined:", window[ev.JSONObjName]);
});
setTimeout(function(){
   defineJSON();
}, 2000);//define JSON Object after 2 seconds (just for this example)

Barmar · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-09 20:09:37Z

0

If it's a global variable, you can pass the variable name as a string. Since global variables become properties of the window object, the function can then check whether window[objectToWaitFor] is defined.

function waitThenRun(objectToWaitFor, callback) {
    var interval = setInterval(function() {
        if (window[objectToWaitFor] !== undefined) {
            clearInterval(interval);
            callback();
        }
    }            
}

waitThenRun("someObjectThatWillBeDefinedLater", function() {
    // do something with someObjectThatWillBeDefinedLater
});

answered Mar 9, 2019 at 20:09

Barmar

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Comments

pretzelhammer · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-09 20:19:15Z

0

All global variables are attached to the window object so can pass the variable name to your function as a string and check if it exists on the window and then run your callback if it does. Snippet:

setTimeout(function() {
  window.someObjectThatWillBeDefinedLater = {hello: 'world'};
}, 1000);

function waitThenRun(globalObj, callback) {
  let intervalId = setInterval(function() {
    if (window[globalObj] !== undefined) {
      callback(window[globalObj]);
      clearInterval(intervalId);
    }
  }, 200);
}

waitThenRun('someObjectThatWillBeDefinedLater', console.log.bind(console));

answered Mar 9, 2019 at 20:19

pretzelhammer

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Comments

Zulqarnain Jalil · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-09 20:23:49Z

0

you can do this by using

   var checkExist = setInterval(function() {
   if (JsonObject) {
//execute your method here
      console.log("Exists!");
      clearInterval(checkExist);
   }
}, 100); // check every 100ms

edited Mar 9, 2019 at 20:23

answered Mar 9, 2019 at 20:13

Zulqarnain Jalil

1,69117 silver badges27 bronze badges

1 Comment

Truth Pursuer Over a year ago

Have you tried it yourself? That if (JsonObject) is exactly where I get error. That's why I asked this question.

Geraldo Megale · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-09 20:49:38Z

You can try to use metaprogramming like JS proxies to intercept the set method of an objects property. Something like this:

function tracePropAccess(obj, propKeys) {
    const propKeySet = new Set(propKeys);
    return new Proxy(obj, {
        get(target, propKey, receiver) {
            if (propKeySet.has(propKey)) {
                console.log('GET '+propKey);
            }
            return Reflect.get(target, propKey, receiver);
        },
        set(target, propKey, value, receiver) {
            if (propKeySet.has(propKey)) {
                console.log('SET '+propKey+'='+value);
            }
            return Reflect.set(target, propKey, value, receiver);
        },
    });
}

the snippet was taken from here

In your example, when the set property gets called you can check if the value meets your expected value and do as you wish with it.

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