How to use variable in namespace

[Christophe27]

Hi,

Does anybody know how I can use a variable in a namespace?

var variable = 'bar';

new GLOBAL.hi.there.variable();

(above code returns an undefined)

Thanks!

Christophe

[svidgen]

Each "namespace" needs to be an object -- could be a generic object, function, DOM node, anything that'll hold properties.

var com = {};
com.google = {};
com.google.www = {};
com.google.www.search = function(s) {

  // since we're actually working in the context of an object,
  // we can refer to "this" to set static-ish variables, like a search history:
  if (!this.search_history) {
    this.search_history = [];
  }
  this.search_history.push(s);

  // perform the actual "search" ...
  alert("No results for " + s + "! Try searching with svidgen.com instead!");
} // com.google.www.search()

// you can then use "with"
// even though you shouldn't generally be using "with" ...
with (com.google.www) {
  search("for something");
  search("for something else");
}

// we should be able to see the search history in the
// namespace now
alert(com.google.www.search_history.length); 

[Christophe27]

I'm not sure if you understand me (or if I understand your reply)

I try to achieve the following:

// I try to write some code like ...
GLOBAL.foo.bar.variable

// Instead of ...

switch ( variable ) {
    case 'var1':
        GLOBAL.foo.bar.var1;
    break;
    case 'var2':
        GLOBAL.foo.bar.var2;
    break;
    case 'var3':
        GLOBAL.foo.bar.var3;
    break;
}

Hope this clears things out

Christophe

[svidgen]

Yup. I'm pretty sure I didn't understand what you're trying to accomplish. But, given your example:

// I try to write some code like ...
GLOBAL.foo.bar.variable

// Instead of ...

switch ( variable ) {
    case 'var1':
        GLOBAL.foo.bar.var1;
    break;
    case 'var2':
        GLOBAL.foo.bar.var2;
    break;
    case 'var3':
        GLOBAL.foo.bar.var3;
    break;
}

It looks like you're working with an existing GLOBAL.foo.bar object, and you want to refer to some semi-unknown property of that object. You have a variable (which you've called variable) that contains a string referring to the property. So, what I think you're looking for is this:

GLOBAL.foo.bar[variable];

That'll get you the property of GLOBAL.foo.bar indicated by the string or number value stored in variable. I'd be interested to see more of your code and what problem this is solving. Could you post some of your code?

[Christophe27]

Using the array notation works fine for me! thanks!