Get Javascript Function Object From Its Name As A String

So you're looking to retrieve a JavaScript function object based on its name stored as a string? Well, you're in the right place! This handy trick can be quite useful in scenarios where you need to dynamically access functions within your code. Let's dive into how you can achieve this in a few simple steps.

First things first, let's understand how JavaScript functions are essentially objects. Just like any other object in JavaScript, functions can be assigned to variables, passed as arguments, and stored in arrays or objects.

To get a JavaScript function object from its name as a string, you can leverage the global object, which is accessible via the 'window' object in browsers and 'global' object in Node.js. By using the bracket notation on the global object, you can access functions dynamically based on their names as strings.

Here's a quick example to illustrate how this can be done:

// Define sample functions
function greet() {
    console.log('Hello, world!');
}

function add(a, b) {
    return a + b;
}

// Get function by name
const functionName = 'greet';
const desiredFunction = window[functionName];

// Call the function
desiredFunction(); // Output: Hello, world!

In this example, we define two simple functions, 'greet' and 'add.' We then store the name of the function we want to access in a variable called 'functionName.' By using bracket notation on the 'window' object along with the function name, we retrieve the desired function object into 'desiredFunction' variable. Finally, we invoke the function by calling 'desiredFunction()'.

Now, it's worth noting that if you're working in a Node.js environment, you would use the 'global' object instead of 'window':

const functionName = 'greet';
const desiredFunction = global[functionName];

desiredFunction(); // Output: Hello, world!

This technique can be particularly useful when building dynamic applications where functions need to be accessed dynamically based on certain conditions or user inputs.

However, it's essential to handle scenarios where the function name provided as a string doesn't exist to prevent potential runtime errors. You can perform a simple check to verify if the function exists before attempting to call it.

That's all there is to it! Now you can confidently access JavaScript function objects from their names stored as strings in your projects. Happy coding!