LazyObject.js

LazyObject.js lets you define properties on an object whose values are initialized only when first accessed. From then on, values are cached/memoized.

Its defineLazyProperty function follows the Object.defineProperty signature closely and allows you to change whether the defined properties are configurable, enumerable and writable.

Installing

npm install lazy-object

LazyObject.js follows semantic versioning, so feel free to depend on its major version with something like >= 1.0.0 < 2 (a.k.a ^1.0.0).

Using

Defining a lazily initialized property

var LazyObject = require("lazy-object")
var Net = require("net")
var server = {}
 
LazyObject.defineLazyProperty(server, "connection", function() {
  return Net.connect(23, "example.com")
})

Properties are by default defined as configurable, enumerable and writable. To change that, pass an options object as the last argument. Then, like Object.defineProperty, all unset properties are set to false.

LazyObject.defineLazyProperty(server, "connection", function() {
  return Net.connect(23, "example.com")
}, {configurable: true})

The above creates a configurable, but non-enumerable and non-writable property (both before initialization and after). This prevents anyone from overwriting the property once initalized.

Defining multiple lazy properties

var LazyObject = require("lazy-object")
var Pg = require("pg")
var Redis = require("redis")
var connections = {}
 
LazyObject.defineLazyProperties(connections, {
  pg: Pg.connect.bind(Pg, "postgres://example.com/database"),
  redis: Redis.createClient.bind(Redis)
})

You can change the properties' enumerability by passing in an options object as the last argument:

LazyObject.defineLazyProperties(connections, {
  pg: Pg.connect.bind(Pg, "postgres://example.com/database"),
  redis: Redis.createClient.bind(Redis)
}, {configurable: true, writable: true})

The above creates the pg and redis properties as configurable and writable, but not enumerable.

Defining lazy properties on the prototype

You don't have to define properties directly on the object you want them on. Taking advantage of prototypical inheritance, you can do so only once on the prototype:

var LazyObject = require("lazy-object")
var Net = require("net")
 
function Telnet(host, port) {
  if (host != null) this.host = host
  if (port != null) this.port = port
}
 
Telnet.prototype.host = null
Telnet.prototype.port = 23
 
LazyObject.defineLazyProperty(Telnet.prototype, "connection", function() {
  return Net.connect(this.port, this.host)
})

Then, only when you first access the connection property on a new Telnet instance, will the connection be created. Different Telnet instances get their own connections.

License

LazyObject.js is released under a Lesser GNU Affero General Public License, which in summary means:

• You can use this program for no cost.
• You can use this program for both personal and commercial reasons.
• You do not have to share your own program's code which uses this program.
• You have to share modifications (e.g. bug-fixes) you've made to this program.

For more convoluted language, see the LICENSE file.

About

Andri Möll typed this and the code.
Monday Calendar supported the engineering work.

If you find LazyObject.js needs improving, please don't hesitate to type to me now at andri@dot.ee or create an issue online.