JavaScript Object can have Private Methods

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I was watching a JavaScript video tutorial by Douglas Crockford where he explained private members in JavaScript. Although there are no ‘private methods’ in a JavaScript object, we can easily create something similar by defining a function variable with a local scope.

As crockford says “If a value is a function, we can consider it a method”. Let us see a simple example that shows how to use a closure and hide a member.

Any attempt to call deleteEmployee will result in the following error:

Just keep in mind that by doing it this way, it cannot be a part of the prototype. Call it a hack, trick or a hidden feature, nevertheless it is a very useful tip to hide information inside a JavaScript Object!

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About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, Developer Technologies MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional) is the founder and contributor for DevCurry, DotNetCurry and SQLServerCurry. He is the Chief Editor of a Developer Magazine called DNC Magazine. He has also authored two Books - 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls. and The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

Follow him on twitter @suprotimagarwal.