PROTOTYPE
AND
PROTOTYPE CHAIN
CONTENTS
III. INTRODUCTION VI. MODIFYING PROTOTYPES AND ADDING
METHODS/PROPERTIES
• Brief overview of prototypes in JavaScript
• Importance of prototypes in object- oriented programming • Adding methods and properties to prototypes
• Introduction to prototype chain and its significance • Demonstrating of modifying prototypes
dynamically
• Pros and Cons of modifying prototypes directly
IV. UNDERSTANDING PROTOTYPES AND THEIR ROLE IN
JAVASCRIPT INHERITANCE VII. CONCLUSION
• Definition of Prototype • Recap the key points about prototypes and prototype
• How prototype facilitate inheritance in JavaScript chain
• Example illustrating the prototype-based inheritance • Importance of understanding prototype in JavaScript
development
• Encouragement for further exploration and practice
V. PROTOTYPE CHAIN AND OBJECT DELEGATION
• Explain the prototype chain
• How objects delegate properties and methods to their
prototypes
• Example illustrating the concept of object delegation in
the prototype chain
III. INTRODUCTION
Prototypes in JavaScript refers to an objects that act as blueprints for
other objects. They allow objects to inherit their properties and methods,
allowing for code reuse and efficient inheritance. Prototypes are essential
in object-oriented programming because they simplify inheritance,
reduce redundancy, and improve code organization. They allow objects to
share behavior and properties, improving code modularity and
maintainability. The prototype chain is a collection of linked objects, each
with a reference to the prototype. It enables JavaScript to look for
properties and methods in an object's prototype if they are not found
directly on the object, allowing for hierarchical property lookups.
IV. UNDERSTANDING PROTOTYPES AND THEIR ROLE IN
JAVASCRIPT INHERITANCE
• DEFINITION OF PROTOTYPE
A prototype is an object that serves as a template for creating other
objects. It contains properties and methods that child objects may inherit.
Prototypes are fundamental to JavaScript's object-oriented programming
paradigm, allowing you to write reusable code and establish relationships
between objects for inheritance and method sharing.
• HOW PROTOTYPE FACILITATE INHERITANCE IN JAVASCRIPT
Prototypes facilitate inheritance by allowing objects to inherit properties
and methods from their prototypes which helps in creating a hierarchy of
objects with common behavior.
• EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATING THE PROTOTYPE-BASED INHERITANCE
// Parent object constructor // Resetting the constructor property to Dog
function Animal(name) { Dog.prototype.constructor = Dog;
this.name = name;
} // Adding a method specific to Dog's prototype
Dog.prototype.bark = function() {
// Adding a method to the prototype of Animal console.log(`${this.name} is barking!`);
Animal.prototype.eat = function(food) { };
console.log(`${this.name} is eating ${food}`);
}; // Creating an instance of Dog
const myDog = new Dog('Buddy', 'Labrador');
// Child object constructor inheriting from Animal
function Dog(name, breed) { // Using inherited method eat from Animal's prototype
// Calling the Animal constructor with 'this' context myDog.eat('bones'); // Output: Buddy is eating bones
Animal.call(this, name);
this.breed = breed; // Using method bark specific to Dog's prototype
} myDog.bark(); // Output: Buddy is barking!
// Set Dog's prototype to a new instance of Animal's
prototype
Dog.prototype = Object.create(Animal.prototype);
V. PROTOTYPE CHAIN AND OBJECT DELEGATION
• EXPLAINATION OF PROTOTYPE CHAIN
The prototype chain is a mechanism where objects are linked
through their prototypes. When a property or method is accessed on an
object, JavaScript traverses this chain to find the property or method.
• HOW OBJECTS DELEGATE PROPERTIES AND METHODS TO THEIR
PROTOTYPES
Objects delegate properties and methods to their prototypes by
referencing the prototype object using the constructor function's prototype
property. This enables shared behavior among objects.
• EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATING THE CONCEPT OF OBJECT DELEGATION IN THE PROTOTYPE
CHAIN
// Define a constructor function called Person that takes a name
parameter
function Person(name) {
// Assign the name parameter to the name property of the created
object
this.name = name;
}
// Add a method sayHello to the Person prototype
Person.prototype.sayHello = function() {
// Log a greeting including the person's name to the console
console.log(`Hello, my name is ${this.name}`);
};
// Create a new Person object with the name 'Alice'
const person1 = new Person('Alice');
// Call the sayHello method on person1
person1.sayHello(); // Output: Hello, my name is Alice
VI. MODIFYING PROTOTYPES AND ADDING METHODS OR
PROPERTIES
• ADDING METHODS AND PROPERTIES TO
PROTOTYPES
Prototypes can be expanded to include methods and properties by
extending the constructor function prototype object. This allows all instances of
the constructor function to inherit the additional methods and properties.
• PROS AND CONS OF MODIFYING PROTOTYPES
DIRECTLY
Pros: Allows for efficient addition of shared methods and properties, as
well as a reduced memory footprint.
Cons: Directly modifying prototypes can affect all instances and, if not
done correctly, can result in unintended consequences.
VII. CONCLUSION
Finally, prototypes in JavaScript are essential for enabling inheritance and code
reuse. They form a prototype chain, allowing objects to delegate properties and methods
to their prototypes. Understanding prototypes is crucial for JavaScript developers because
it lays the groundwork for efficient object-oriented programming, inheritance, and code
organization. Continuing to experiment and practice with JavaScript prototypes can lead to
mastery and improved development skills. Prototype mastery results in codebases that
are more efficient and maintainable.
