Forums » Help » Basic question about classes

Is the following class defined properly.

how do i call the class to trigger the init?

how do i call runme?

In both cases from outside the class....

(pretty sure this is the last thing i have to work out to get the BASICS)

ig.module( 
	'game.words' 
)
.requires(
	'impact.game'
	
)
.defines(function(){

Words = ig.Class.extend({
	

init: function(){
	console.log("init");
},


runme: function(){
	
	console.log("i ran");
}

});
});

oh i see, LOL!!!

var word = new Words;

now for runme

Don't forget the parentheses.

var word = new Words();

thanks alexandre, it worked without the (); ... wudl you mind educating me on why?

also

still cant get runme();

:-(

Actually in JS the () are not strictly required, it is generally good practice.

.init() is not normally called just defining the class. You have to call word.init(); after you've declared word as an instance.

Impact will call .init() in a lot of cases for you but runme() won't just spontaneously call by itself, you'll have to use word.runme(); or similar.

yea ive been trying var word = new Words.runme();

but get

Uncaught TypeError: undefined is not a function

so this works: word = new Words();

produces : "init"

so howcome that works, rather than:

.init() is not normally called just defining the class. You have to call word.init(); after you've declared word as an instance.

sorry for such basic questions!

Paul, here's an example:

Words = ig.Class.extend({
	init: function()
	{
		console.log('words instance init');
	},

	runme: function()
	{
		console.log('words instance runme');
	}
});

Clients would then use it like this:

var w = new Words();
w.runme();

with matching output in the console:

words instance init
words instance runme

Or you can call runme from inside init, if it should ALWAYS be called on init.

Another cool coding practice is chaining (google object/function chaining).

Words = ig.Class.extend({
    init: function()
    {
        console.log('words instance init');
        this.runme();
    },
    reset: function()
    {
        console.log('words instance reset');
        return this;            // allows for chaining
    },

    runme: function()
    {
        console.log('words instance runme');
    }
});

// this will init, and execute run immediately on init
var w = new Words();

// reset and run again
w.reset().runme();

// reset and run again (alternative formatting)
w.reset()
 .runme();

@Heiko
Very nice. I'm relatively fresh at js and keep forgetting to do that. Thanks for reminder.

yes, thank to you all, your awesome!!!!

reduced a file by 1.2MB and saved 60ms!!!!

last question is about memory.

Lets say my class file words is 1MB, when is that stored/loaded in memory, on load of ig.game or when i call var w = new Words();?

I think its loaded on game load, but can someone confirm and if so, im assuming that entities are different, in that they are loaded into memory when created and killed on this.kill?