Why does the following work:
function sum(a,b) { return a + b; }
var result = sum.call(null,3,4); // 7
Why is result defined? I am invoking sum as a method of null. But null is not an object and cannot have properties!
What is going on?
Why does the following work:
function sum(a,b) { return a + b; }
var result = sum.call(null,3,4); // 7
Why is result defined? I am invoking sum as a method of null. But null is not an object and cannot have properties!
What is going on?
The first argument for Function.prototype.call
is the context, which defines the this
value for the execution context of the invoked function, nothing else.
So basically, you're saying that this
is referring to null
(at least, in ES5 strict mode), but since you don't access this
anyway, it makes no difference.
In non-strict mode, this
cannot be null
, so it's replaced with the global object instead.
When you use .call
or .apply
with null
or undefined
, the default this
(usually window
) is automatically used instead if not in strict mode.
From MDN (emphasis mine):
thisArg
The value ofthis
provided for the call tofun
. Note that this may not be the actual value seen by the method: if the method is a function in non-strict mode code,null
andundefined
will be replaced with the global object, and primitive values will be boxed.
If you are in strict mode, it actually will be null
or undefined
.
(function() {
'use strict';
return this;
}).call(null); // null
(function() {
'use strict';
return this;
})(); // undefined
Its not. NULL in this case specifies to what object the this
keyword is bound to. In your method, by setting it to NULL it will either not have a this
variable binding or it will be bound to the function itself or the window.
Since you're not using any variables or functions that are accessed via this
, then there's no need to use the call method ... you can just use sum(3,4)
As stated in, for example, MDN, the first argument is
The value of this provided for the call to [the method]. Note that this may not be the actual value seen by the method: if the method is a function in non-strict mode code, null and undefined will be replaced with the global object, and primitive values will be boxed.
As the MDN explained.
thisArg
The value of this provided for the call to fun. Note that this may not be the actual value seen by the method: if the method is a function in non-strict mode code, null and undefined will be replaced with the global object, and primitive values will be boxed.
Simply put it by a little code.
<script >
'use strict'
function fun() {
alert(this);
}
fun.call(null);
</script>
In the strict mode ,this is null. But in the not strict mode . this is window or global object.