Problem assigning javascript object properties

Question

Is there any way to assign an object property like pear below? (example doesn't work)

var fruitColors = { apple: "green", pear: fruitColors.apple};

I can achieve it by doing this however, but I'd like to do it like above if it's possible.

var fruitColors = { apple: "green" };
fruitColors.pear = fruitColors.apple;

deanoj · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-09 16:21:25Z

1

I don't think you can - as the fruitColors object doesn't exist at the time you are trying to access it's property.

answered Feb 9, 2011 at 16:21

deanoj

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Comments

user113716 · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-09 16:27:14Z

1

You can't do it during initialization. You could make a constructor if you wanted, but not sure if it would be worth it.

function FruitColors() {
    this.apple = "green";
    this.pear = this.apple;
}

var fruitColors = new FruitColors;

or in newer implementations, you could use the get syntax to make pear reference apple:

var fruitColors = { 
    apple: "green",
    get pear() { return this.apple; }
}

but this isn't widely supported across browsers if that's your target.

answered Feb 9, 2011 at 16:20

user113716

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