When to Use \'self\' vs. \'this\' in JavaScript: A Clarity Guide?

Understanding the Use of "self" and "this" in JavaScript Idioms

In the example code from the WebKit HTML 5 SQL Storage Notes Demo, you may encounter the use of both "self" and "this" within different contexts. This practice is often employed to maintain control over the intended reference to the instance of an object.

When to Use "self"

"self" is commonly used within event handlers to refer to the current context or instance of the object. This is especially useful in closures, where the value of "this" can change. By using "self," you ensure that the reference to the original object is preserved.

When to Use "this"

"this" typically refers to the current object instance within the function body. However, when working with functions defined in the argument list of methods, "this" may refer to the current event, which is not always the desired behavior.

Alternative Naming Conventions

It's important to note that the name "self" is not a rule but merely a common convention. You can use any valid variable name to hold the reference to the current object. The key is to ensure that you have a consistent approach for accessing the correct object context.

Closure Behavior in JavaScript

Functions declared within a context, such as closures, have access to variables and functions declared in the same scope or above. This is because closures preserve the scope chain of the parent function, allowing inner functions to access variables declared in the outer function.

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