In JavaScript, there is no such thing as a \"private\" variable. In order to ach

Question

In JavaScript, there is no such thing as a "private" variable. In order to achieve encapsulation and information hiding in JavaScript, I can wrap a variable inside a function closure, like so:

var counter = (function() {  
    var i = 0;
    var fn = {};
    fn.increment = function() { i++; };
    fn.get = function() { return i; };
    return fn;
{)();  
counter.increment();
counter.increment();
alert(counter.get()); // alerts '2'
Since I don't call i a private variable in JavaScript, what do I call it?

Explanation / Answer

According to wikipedia they're called "upvalues".

A closure allows a function to access variables outside its immediate lexical scope. An upvalue is a free variable that has been bound (closed over) with a closure. The closure is said to "close over" its upvalues.

Although it's probably better to wrongly call them private variables so people will understand what you mean.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.