Special Well-Known Symbols
Learn how JavaScript uses special well-known Symbols to create unique method names that prevent conflicts and errors. Understand their role in defining class behavior, especially for methods like Symbol.search, enabling safer and clearer code design.
Why do we need special Symbols?
In languages like Java and C#, we expect classes to collaborate with each other through interfaces. For example, if a class expects another class to have a compare() method, it expects that the class will implement a Comparator interface. JavaScript does not follow such traditions or ceremonies. The contracts are rather informal and relaxed. If a class expects another class to have a method, it simply expects to find that method—as simple as that.
While there is merit to that simplicity, a
Furthermore, not having a clear way to specify that you expect a class to implement a particular method or a property can lead to errors.
An assumption
Suppose you expect a programmer who is ...