Javascript - object initializer?

Question

I've realized you can have a property in an object run automatically like this:

var obj = {      init:(function(){ alert('loaded');})();  } 

I'm trying to use this method as an initializer for the object. The problem I'm running into is passing a reference to 'obj' to the init property. I suspect it generates errors because the obj hasn't been completely built in browser yet. I'm trying to do the following, but unsuccessfully. If there's a way to do this, I'd love to know how.

var obj = {     prop:function(){ alert('This just ran.'); },     init:(function(){ obj.prop(); })(); } 

Answer 1

If you want to create multiple instances of similar objects, you should use plain old constructor functions (remember to put shared properties in the prototype!).

If you want to create a single object, consider using an anonymous constructor. Your example would read:

var obj = new (function() {     this.prop = function() {         alert('This just ran.');     }      // init code goes here:     this.prop(); }); 

This has an additional benefit over object literals: the constructor function can be used as a closure over 'private' variables.

Don't overuse object literals: they may make simple things simple, but complex things will get overly complicated.

Answer 2

This is not possible: obj doesn't exist until the whole block is interpreted.