“this” inside an Object pointing to an empty Object

Question

So I have this JavaScript code:

var obj={
   a: “Chris”,
   b: this
   };console.log(obj.b);  //{}

The console.log return an empty object rather than the object with variable a and b.

Anyone know why?

Thank you very much!

this should also in quotes, like 'chris' other wise this will be javascript/jquery object — jvk, Nov 04 '17 at 18:02
They *want* an object. Putting "this" in quotes would be a string. (Also there is no jquery here, just js) — Daniel Beck, Nov 04 '17 at 18:04
@guest271314 the output I expected is an object with property a and b inside while what it return is just an empty object {}. — user8886451, Nov 04 '17 at 19:32

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 04 '17 at 18:01

0

If this code is in the global scope, which I assume it is, this points to the global object (whatever it is). If you want it to point to the object itself, you cannot do it in the literal, you need to assign it later (after you create the object itself).

answered Nov 04 '17 at 18:01

Tukan

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I don't think so - the global object wouldn't be empty – Bergi Nov 04 '17 at 19:34
It does not have to be the global. It is the upper scope, which may or may not be empty. – Tukan Nov 05 '17 at 19:50

“this” inside an Object pointing to an empty Object

1 Answers1