CoffeeScript lazy singleton class instance function

Posted on by

Explanation

“@instance:” allows us to attach an object/value to the Foo class instead of Foo’s prototype. Recall that “@” in CoffeeScript refers to JavaScript’s “this”.

After “@instance:” there is a function that is immediately executed. This function returns a function, closed around a variable called instance. Both these functions have their context (their “this”) bound to the Foo object using CoffeeScript’s wonderful “define and bind” operator “=>” as opposed to the normal function definition operator “->”.

When called, the function that “@instance” ends up referring to simply checks to see if the “instance” variable is empty and if so, assigns a new instance of Foo to it. Newing up a Foo is done using the “@” symbol since the function’s “this” refers to the Foo object. It then returns the instance.

Output

The CoffeeScript above compiles down to this:

23,235 thoughts on “CoffeeScript lazy singleton class instance function”

  9. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive
    a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple
    ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely
    off topic but I had to share it with someone!