what is constructor in javascript

1 year ago 38
Nature

A constructor in JavaScript is a special function that is used to create and initialize an object instance of a class. When an object is created using the new keyword, the constructor gets called, and it is responsible for setting values for any existing object properties. The constructor method enables custom initialization that must be done before any other methods can be called on an instantiated object. It is considered good practice to name constructor functions with an upper-case first letter.

When a constructor is invoked in JavaScript, the following sequence of operations takes place:

  1. A new empty object is created.
  2. The this keyword begins to refer to the new object, becoming the current instance object.
  3. The new object is then returned as the return value of the constructor.

Some key points about constructors in JavaScript include:

  • Constructors are used as prototypes for other objects.
  • They allow for the creation and initialization of multiple objects from a constructor function.
  • The this keyword in a constructor function refers to the object when the object is created.

In summary, a constructor in JavaScript is a fundamental concept used to create and initialize object instances of a class, and it plays a crucial role in object-oriented programming in JavaScript.