Prototype vs Class Approach
In JavaScript, both prototypes and classes are used to implement object-oriented programming (OOP) features, but they represent different approaches to achieving the same goal. With the introduction of the
Prototype-based Inheritance
In JavaScript, objects can serve as prototypes for other objects. Each object has an internal link to another object called its prototype. If you want to see the prototype of an object, you can use the
You can create objects directly using the Object constructor or object literals, and then extend their functionality by adding properties and methods directly to the prototype object. Take a look at the next example:
See the differences in the console logs from the prototypes. Now the greet method is part of the prototype instead of the person object itself.
Class-based Inheritance
The class syntax provides a more familiar and structured way to define objects and their behavior. Beneath the surface of the class syntax, JavaScript continues to rely on prototypes. The
Personal Experience
In my career as a software engineer, I've used both approaches. In one of my projects I had no other choice but to use the prototype chains as the project was running a version of JavaScript that didn't support classes (ECMAScript 5). If I had to choose one over the other I would definitely pick the
Prototype or Class syntax is better?
Both prototype-based and class-based approaches are valid ways to implement OOP in JavaScript. The choice between prototype or class syntax often depends on personal preference and coding style. However, it's essential to understand that JavaScript's prototypal nature remains fundamental to both approaches.