How do I create an abstract base class in JavaScript?

Question

Is it possible to simulate abstract base class in JavaScript? What is the most elegant way to do it?

Say, I want to do something like: -

var cat = ne         


        

Answer 1

If you want to make sure that your base classes and their members are strictly abstract here is a base class that does this for you:

class AbstractBase{
    constructor(){}
    checkConstructor(c){
        if(this.constructor!=c) return;
        throw new Error(`Abstract class ${this.constructor.name} cannot be instantiated`);
    }
    throwAbstract(){
        throw new Error(`${this.constructor.name} must implement abstract member`);}    
}

class FooBase extends AbstractBase{
    constructor(){
        super();
        this.checkConstructor(FooBase)}
    doStuff(){this.throwAbstract();}
    doOtherStuff(){this.throwAbstract();}
}

class FooBar extends FooBase{
    constructor(){
        super();}
    doOtherStuff(){/*some code here*/;}
}

var fooBase = new FooBase(); //<- Error: Abstract class FooBase cannot be instantiated
var fooBar = new FooBar(); //<- OK
fooBar.doStuff(); //<- Error: FooBar must implement abstract member
fooBar.doOtherStuff(); //<- OK

Strict mode makes it impossible to log the caller in the throwAbstract method but the error should occur in a debug environment that would show the stack trace.