call a specific javascript function when multiple same name function are in memory

Question

Hi all, I need to call specific js function. The problem is many time runtime situation can come where another js file may contain same name function. But i need to be specific that which function i am suppose to call. Function overloading is not my solution.

Thanks and regards, Tanmay

Answer 1

At least in firefox, when you have two functions with the same name, the second will overwrite the first one.

So, you can't call the first one.

Try it:

function a() {alert(1);}
function a() {alert(2);}
a(); // alerts '2'

See in jsfiddle.

Answer 2

In javascript, same named functions automatically override earlier functions with the exact same name.

Let's say your page includes 1.js and 2.js and both of them define the same function, say, display(). In this case, based on which js file is included the last, the definition of 'display()' in that file will override all other prior definitions.

Answer 3

you're going to have to do some reorganization of your resources and use namespacing where you can.

if you have a method named saySomething defined twice, you would move one of them to an object (whichever suits your needs better).

var myNS = new (function() {

    this.saySomething = function() {
        alert('hello!');
    };

})();

and the other defintion can be moved into a different object or even left alone.

function saySomething() {
    alert('derp!');
}

you can now call the saySomething method like

saySomething();      // derp!
myNS.saySomething(); // hello!

edit: since it was brought up in comments, this

var myNS = {
    saySomething: function() {
        alert('hello!');
    }
};

is equivalent to the first code block, in simpler form (if i'm remembering correctly).