Prototype Property

This lesson explains the prototype property of objects and what __proto__ is used for by using an example.

We'll cover the following

__proto__ Property

As discussed, in JavaScript the objects contain a property [[Prototype]] that is hidden. This property either points to another object or is null.

The [[Prototype]] property of objects i.e., anObject.[[Prototype]] defines the prototype of anObject. It is defined through the __proto__ property which is used as a setter/getter for the [[Prototype]] property i.e., in order to access/set the [[Prototype]] property of an object __proto__ is used.

Syntax

Let’s take a look at the syntax for accessing and setting the [[Prototype]] property of an object.

//using __proto__ to access and set the [[Prototype]] of "anObject"
anObject.__proto__ = someotherObject

Example

Let’s take a look at an example to make this concept more clear.

//Shape object
var Shape={
  name: 'Rectangle',
  sides: 4
}
//Rectangle object
var Rectangle = {
  length: 3,
  width: 5
} 
 
//setting [[Prototype]] of Rectangle equal to Shape
Rectangle.__proto__ = Shape
//displaying Rectangle object's properties
console.log("Name of shape is:",Rectangle.name)
console.log("Number of sides are",Rectangle.sides)
console.log("Length is:",Rectangle.length)
console.log("Width is:",Rectangle.width)

Explanation

As seen in the code above:

  • Two objects Shape and Rectangle are created.

  • Shape contains the properties:

    • name
    • sides

  • At the start, Rectangle contains the properties:

    • length
    • width

  • In line 14, the __proto__ property sets Rectangle's [[Prototype]] property equal to Shape.

Line 14 can translate to:

Shape is the prototype of Rectangle

or

Rectangle inherits prototypically from Shape

What do both of the above lines mean? Why does the code above display the name and sides value when accessed from Rectangle? Let’s discuss the answers to these questions in the next lesson.