ArticleZip > Ecmascript 6 Arrow Function That Returns An Object

Ecmascript 6 Arrow Function That Returns An Object

If you're a software engineer looking to level up your coding skills, you've probably heard about ES6 (also known as ECMAScript 2015) and its powerful new features. One of the most handy additions in ES6 is arrow functions. In this article, we'll explore how to create an ES6 arrow function that returns an object, a useful technique that can streamline your code and make it more readable.

To start off, let's refresh our memory on traditional function syntax in ES5:

Javascript

function createObject() {
  return {
    key1: value1,
    key2: value2
  };
}

Now, let's see how we can achieve the same result using ES6 arrow function syntax:

Javascript

const createObject = () => ({
  key1: value1,
  key2: value2
});

In this example, we define a constant `createObject` and assign an arrow function to it. The arrow function utilizes an implicit return, denoted by the parentheses surrounding the object literal containing key-value pairs.

One key advantage of using arrow functions is lexical scoping. Arrow functions do not have their `this` value and instead inherit it from the parent scope. This can be particularly useful when dealing with object methods or event listeners.

Here's an example that demonstrates the lexical scoping of arrow functions within an object method:

Javascript

const myObject = {
  value: 42,
  getValue: function() {
    const addTwo = () => this.value + 2;
    return addTwo();
  }
};

console.log(myObject.getValue()); // Output: 44

In this snippet, `addTwo` is an arrow function defined within the `getValue` method of `myObject`. Since arrow functions inherit `this` from the parent scope, `this.value` within `addTwo` refers to `myObject`'s `value` property, resulting in the correct output of `44`.

When creating arrow functions that return objects, it's important to ensure the object literal is wrapped in parentheses. This tells the JavaScript parser that the curly braces following the arrow function are not a block statement, but an object literal to be returned.

Arrow functions provide a concise and elegant way to define functions in JavaScript, especially when returning objects or using lexical scoping. By leveraging arrow functions effectively in your code, you can enhance readability and maintainability.

In conclusion, ES6 arrow functions offer a modern and efficient way to write JavaScript functions. With their concise syntax and lexical scoping capabilities, arrow functions are a powerful tool in the toolkit of any software developer. Try incorporating arrow functions that return objects into your code to streamline your development process and make your codebase more robust and maintainable.