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. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping
    maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I
    look forward to your new updates.