Why can't I access a property of an integer with a single dot?

Question

If I try to write

3.toFixed(5)

there is a syntax error. Using double dots, putting in a space, putting the three in parentheses or using br

Answer 1

You can't access it because of a flaw in JavaScript's tokenizer. Javascript tries to parse the dot notation on a number as a floating point literal, so you can't follow it with a property or method:

2.toString(); // raises SyntaxError

As you mentioned, there are a couple of workarounds which can be used in order make number literals act as objects too. Any of these is equally valid.

2..toString(); // the second point is correctly recognized
2 .toString(); // note the space left to the dot
(2).toString(); // 2 is evaluated first

To understand more behind object usage and properties, check out the Javascript Garden.