base_object.js

function createBase(){
  // This function recursively and distructively 
  // merges the guest object onto the host object
  function merge(host, guest) {
    
    // cycle through guest's properties
    for(var prop in guest) {
      if(guest.hasOwnProperty(prop)){
        
        // if the property is an object then run 
        // the merge on it or just copy it over
        host[prop] = (typeof guest[prop] === 'object') ?
          merge(host[prop], guest[prop]) :
          guest[prop];
      }
    }
    return host;
  }
  
  // This function processes the declaritave function
  // as well as manages the extension
  function extend(factoryFunction){
    
    // run the factoryFunction to get the declaration object
    var properties = factoryFunction(),
    
        // extract the constructor function reference
        BaseClass = properties.init,
        
        // extract the super class reference
        SuperClass = this;
    
    // copy extend function across
    BaseClass.extend = SuperClass.extend;
    
    // create the inheritance heirarchy
    BaseClass.prototype = Object.create(SuperClass.prototype);
    
    // merge the new properties with those given from inheritance
    merge(BaseClass.prototype, properties);
    
    // return the class ready for use.
    return BaseClass;
  }
  
  function Base(){}
  Base.extend = extend;
  
  return Base;
}