Window function pointer not working in JavaScript

Question

I have some code where I need to call a function when I have it's name in a string. For example:

var util = {
    exByName: function(name) {
        window[name](arguments);
    }
};
util.exByName("console.log", "blah");

When I run this, the error 'Uncaught TypeError: window[name] is not a function' however, when I ran this in the browser (Opera):

window["console.log"]("blah");

It works fine. Can someone help me with this?

Because you can reference nested properties like that. And I know chrome will not work referencing it like that. — epascarello, Nov 15 '16 at 20:07
make sure whatever function youre calling is actually in the window scope. if you used a `window.onload` or a `$(function(){...})` then it's not in the window scope. — I wrestled a bear once., Nov 15 '16 at 20:10
@Misaz - of course it is. if it's not in the window scope then accessing it through the window will not work. — I wrestled a bear once., Nov 15 '16 at 20:13
@Iwrestledabearonce. `window["console.log"]("blah");` does not work in chrome... unless someone did `window["console.log"] = console.log.bind(console);` — epascarello, Nov 15 '16 at 20:14
@epascarello - that's why i deleted the comment. its the dot notation that breaks it, not the bracket notation. i get what youre saying. — I wrestled a bear once., Nov 15 '16 at 20:16

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

1

With other browsers and namespaced functions like console.log you have to use:

window["console"]["log"]("blah")

See this entry for further details.

edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

Community

answered Nov 15 '16 at 20:08

gus27

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 15 '16 at 20:09

1

You cannot access nested object properties using the dot notation in brackets.

Instead, access different nested levels via separate brackets:

window["console"]["log"]("foo");

answered Nov 15 '16 at 20:09

TimoStaudinger

2 Answers2