Good Example of JavaScript's Prototype-Based Inheritance

Question

I have been programming with OOP languages for over 10 years but I\'m learning JavaScript now and it\'s the first time I\'ve encountered prototype-based inheritance. I tend

Answer 1

Adding an example of Prototype based inheritance in Javascript.

// Animal Class
function Animal (name, energy) {
  this.name = name;
  this.energy = energy;
}

Animal.prototype.eat = function (amount) {
  console.log(this.name, "eating. Energy level: ", this.energy);
  this.energy += amount;
  console.log(this.name, "completed eating. Energy level: ", this.energy);
}

Animal.prototype.sleep = function (length) {
  console.log(this.name, "sleeping. Energy level: ", this.energy);
  this.energy -= 1;
  console.log(this.name, "completed sleeping. Energy level: ", this.energy);
}

Animal.prototype.play = function (length) {
  console.log(this.name, " playing. Energy level: ", this.energy);
  this.energy -= length;
  console.log(this.name, "completed playing. Energy level: ", this.energy);
}

// Dog Class
function Dog (name, energy, breed) {
  Animal.call(this, name, energy);
  this.breed = breed;
}

Dog.prototype = Object.create(Animal.prototype);
Dog.prototype.constructor = Dog;

Dog.prototype.bark = function () {
  console.log(this.name, "barking. Energy level: ", this.energy);
  this.energy -= 1;
  console.log(this.name, "done barking. Energy level: ", this.energy);
}

Dog.prototype.showBreed = function () {
  console.log(this.name,"'s breed is ", this.breed);
}

// Cat Class
function Cat (name, energy, male) {
  Animal.call(this, name, energy);
  this.male = male;
}

Cat.prototype = Object.create(Animal.prototype);
Cat.prototype.constructor = Cat;

Cat.prototype.meow = function () {
  console.log(this.name, "meowing. Energy level: ", this.energy);
  this.energy -= 1;
  console.log(this.name, "done meowing. Energy level: ", this.energy);
}

Cat.prototype.showGender = function () {
  if (this.male) {
    console.log(this.name, "is male.");
  } else {
    console.log(this.name, "is female.");
  }
}

// Instances
const charlie = new Dog("Charlie", 10, "Labrador");
charlie.bark();
charlie.showBreed();

const penny = new Cat("Penny", 8, false);
penny.meow();
penny.showGender();

ES6 uses far easier implementation of inheritance witn the use of constructor and super keywords.