How to Fix Javascript Plugin Public Methods Not Working

Discover the solution to common issues that arise when using public methods in Javascript plugins. Learn how to properly implement these methods in your vanilla JS plugins.
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Fixing Public Methods in Javascript Plugins

If you're venturing into the world of Javascript plugins, you might encounter an issue related to public methods not functioning as expected. This can be particularly frustrating when you've built the plugin logic using vanilla JavaScript.

In this post, we're going to explore a common issue: public methods not working in a custom Javascript plugin, and how to solve it using a straightforward approach.

The Problem

When attempting to create a custom plugin in JavaScript, you may find yourself in a situation similar to this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In the above example, while the instantiation of the plugin works perfectly, calling the update method directly after creating a new instance results in an error or failure to execute. This is a common pitfall that many developers face when transitioning from jQuery to vanilla JavaScript.

Understanding the Issue

The primary cause of this issue lies in how methods are assigned within your plugin's constructor function. In your original structure, methods were being associated with a local variable Plug rather than the instance of the plugin itself. This leads to methods not being recognized when trying to access them externally.

Solution Breakdown

1. Use this to Assign Methods

To ensure that public methods can be accessed correctly, you need to assign them to the this keyword inside the constructor function rather than to a local variable. Here's how to do that:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

2. Example Code Fix

Below is the corrected version of the original plugin code including this change:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Testing Your Plugin

Now you can create an instance of your plugin and call the public method like so:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By ensuring that your public methods are bound to the instance using this, you can effectively solve the issue of public methods not functioning in your vanilla Javascript plugins. This simple fix can prevent a lot of frustration down the road, allowing you to create robust and reusable code.

If you run into any other issues or have questions about your Javascript plugins, feel free to leave a comment below!