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Function Apply

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Method Reuse #

With the apply() method, you can write a method that can be used on different objects.


The JavaScript apply() Method #

The apply() method is similar to the call() method (previous chapter).

In this example the fullName method of person is applied on person1:

Example #

var person = { fullName: function() { return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName; } } var person1 = { firstName: "Mary", lastName: "Doe" } person.fullName.apply(person1); // Will return "Mary Doe"

The Difference Between call() and apply() #

The difference is:

The call() method takes arguments separately.

The apply() method takes arguments as an array.

The apply() method is very handy if you want to use an array instead of an argument list.


The apply() Method with Arguments #

The apply() method accepts arguments in an array:

Example #

var person = { fullName: function(city, country) { return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName + "," + city + "," + country; } } var person1 = { firstName:"John", lastName: "Doe" } person.fullName.apply(person1, ["Oslo", "Norway"]);

Compared with the call() method:

Example #

var person = { fullName: function(city, country) { return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName + "," + city + "," + country; } } var person1 = { firstName:"John", lastName: "Doe" } person.fullName.call(person1, "Oslo", "Norway");

Simulate a Max Method on Arrays #

You can find the largest number (in a list of numbers) using the Math.max() method:

Example #

Math.max(1,2,3); // Will return 3

Since JavaScript arrays do not have a max() method, you can apply the Math.max() method instead.

Example #

Math.max.apply(null, [1,2,3]); // Will also return 3

The first argument (null) does not matter. It is not used in this example.

These examples will give the same result:

Example #

Math.max.apply(Math, [1,2,3]); // Will also return 3

Example #

Math.max.apply(" ", [1,2,3]); // Will also return 3

Example #

Math.max.apply(0, [1,2,3]); // Will also return 3

JavaScript Strict Mode #

In JavaScript strict mode, if the first argument of the apply() method is not an object, it becomes the owner (object) of the invoked function. In “non-strict” mode, it becomes the global object.

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