JS ObjectsLesson #235

JavaScript Classes

ECMAScript 2015, also known as ES6, introduced JavaScript Classes.

ECMAScript 2015, also known as ES6, introduced JavaScript Classes.

JavaScript Classes are templates for JavaScript Objects.

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JavaScript Class Syntax

Use the keyword class to create a class.

Always add a method named constructor():

Syntax

Example Code

javascript
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class ClassName {

   constructor() { ... }

}

Example

Example Code

javascript
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class Car {

   constructor(name, year) {

    this.name = name;

    this.year = year;

  }

}

The example above creates a class named "Car".

The class has two initial properties: "name" and "year".

A JavaScript class is not an object. > It is a template for JavaScript objects.

Using a Class

When you have a class, you can use the class to create objects:

Example

Example Code

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const myCar1 = new Car("Ford", 2014);

const myCar2 = new Car("Audi", 2019);

The example above uses the Car class to create two Car objects.

The constructor method is called automatically when a new object is created.

The Constructor Method

The constructor method is a special method:

  • It has to have the exact name "constructor"
  • It is executed automatically when a new object is created
  • It is used to initialize object properties

If you do not define a constructor method, JavaScript will add an empty constructor method.


Class Methods

Class methods are created with the same syntax as object methods.

Use the keyword class to create a class.

Always add a constructor() method.

Then add any number of methods.

Syntax

Example Code

javascript
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class ClassName {

   constructor() { ... }

  method_1() { ... }

  method_2() { ... }

  method_3() { ... }

}

Create a Class method named "age", that returns the Car age:

Example

Example Code

javascript
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class Car {

   constructor(name, year) {

    this.name = name;

    this.year = year;

   }
  age() {

    const date = new Date();

    return date.getFullYear() - this.year;

   }
}

const myCar = new Car("Ford", 2014);

document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML =

"My car is " + myCar.age() + " years old.";

You can send parameters to Class methods:

Example

Example Code

javascript
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class Car {
  constructor(name, year) {

  this.name = name;
    this.year = year;
  }

  age(x) {
    return x - this.year;
  }
}

  const date = new Date();

  let year = date.getFullYear();

const myCar = new
  Car("Ford", 2014);
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML=
"My car is
  " + myCar.age(year) + " years old.";

"use strict"

Classes syntax must be written following The "use strict" Directive.

You will get an error if you do not follow the "strict mode" rules.

Example

Example Code

javascript
Try it Yourself
class Car {

   constructor(name, year) {

    this.name = name;

    this.year = year;

   }
  age() {

    // date = new Date();   // This will not work

    const date = new Date();  // This will work

    return date.getFullYear() - this.year;

   }
}

Interactive Code Examples

Syntax

javascript
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JavaScript syntax and algorithm demonstration.
class ClassName {

   constructor() { ... }

}

JS Example 2

javascript
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JavaScript syntax and algorithm demonstration.
class Car {

   constructor(name, year) {

    this.name = name;

    this.year = year;

  }

}

JS Example 3

javascript
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JavaScript syntax and algorithm demonstration.
const myCar1 = new Car("Ford", 2014);

const myCar2 = new Car("Audi", 2019);

Syntax

javascript
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JavaScript syntax and algorithm demonstration.
class ClassName {

   constructor() { ... }

  method_1() { ... }

  method_2() { ... }

  method_3() { ... }

}

JS Example 5

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Interactive runnable JavaScript example from EA Academy.
Live Output Preview:

JS Example 6

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Interactive runnable JavaScript example from EA Academy.
Live Output Preview: