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JavaScript Understanding "this" in JavaScript

Mia Filisch
Mia Filisch
16,117 Points
Posted by Mia Filisch
Mia Filisch
16,117 Points

What is the difference between the 2nd and 3rd use of `this` mentioned in this video?

In both usages, this refers to the object itself. In the 2nd use case, if I understand correctly, we're dealing with an object literal, and in the 3rd use case, with an object instantiated through a constructor function. But isn't the value this takes in both of these conceptually the same, i.e. the object itself, as a way of accessing / referencing its properties?

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,264 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,264 Points

You're right, these are both examples of "this" referring to an object. The difference is that in the second case, a method is being called on an existing object; and "this" refers to that object.

In the third case, a constructor function in being called to create a new object that does not already exist. So "this" refers to the object being constructed even though no object reference is made in the call itself (using "new").