JavaScript new vs Object.create( ... )

prototype

*** see http://www.quora.com/What-are-some-advanced-JavaScript-techniques-that-you-dont-see-often-but-should ***


*** Don't do this ***

function MyClass() {} 
    MyClass.prototype.method1 = function () { ... };
    MyClass.prototype.method2 = function () { ... };
    // ...  
    MyClass.prototype.methodN = function ()  { ... };
    // ...  
}();

var instance = new MyClass();




*** Do this ***

var myProto, makeInstance, instance;

myProto = {
  method1 : function () { ... };
  method2 : function () { ... };
};

makeInstance = function () { return Object.create( myProto ); };

instance = makeInstance();




*** or this ***

function BaseClass([arg1, arg2, ...]){
    //do some initialization with args
}

BaseClass.prototype = {
    constructor: BaseClass,
    method1: function(){ ... },
    method2: fuction(){ ... },
    ...
    methodN: function(){ ... }
};

// Now create the object ("instance")
var myObject = new BaseClass([arg1, arg2, ...]);



*** another option ***

// Note that the MyClass function definition is automatically hoisted.
var _proto = MyClass.prototype;

function MyClass() {}

_proto.method1 = function () {};
_proto.method2 = function () {};
_proto.methodN = function () {};