Core JavaScript 1.5 Reference:Global Objects:Object:toSource

From MDC

Contents 1 Summary 2 Syntax 3 Parameters 4 Description 4.1 Built-in toString methods 5 Examples 5.1 Example: Using toSource 6 See Also

[edit] Summary

Returns a string representing the source code of the object.

Method of Object
Implemented in:	JavaScript 1.3

[edit] Syntax

obj.toSource()

[edit] Parameters

None.

[edit] Description

The toSource method returns the following values:

• For the built-in Object object, toSource returns the following string indicating that the source code is not available:

function Object() {
   [native code]
}

• For instances of Object, toSource returns a string representing the source code.

This method is usually called internally by JavaScript and not explicitly in code. You can call toSource while debugging to examine the contents of an object.

[edit] Built-in toString methods

Each core JavaScript object of a unique class that also provides its own prototype object has a unique toString method. The purpose of this method is to provide an appropriate value when JavaScript needs to convert that object into a string. These objects are:

• toSource - Array Object method.
• toSource - Boolean Object method.
• toSource - Date Object method.
• toSource - Function Object method.
• toSource - Number Object method.
• toSource - Object Object method.
• toSource - RegExp Object method.
• toSource - String Object method.

[edit] Examples

[edit] Example: Using toSource

The following code defines the Dog object type and creates theDog, an object of type Dog:

function Dog(name, breed, color, sex) {
   this.name=name;
   this.breed=breed;
   this.color=color;
   this.sex=sex;
}

theDog = new Dog("Gabby", "Lab", "chocolate", "girl");

Calling the toSource method of theDog displays the JavaScript source that defines the object:

theDog.toSource();

returns

({name:"Gabby", breed:"Lab", color:"chocolate", sex:"girl"})

[edit] See Also

toString