Javascript Named Function Expressions in Internet Explorer

Question

Why does the following code not work in Internet Explorer (I\'ve only tested in IE8 so far):

(function(){
  this.foo = function foo(){};

  foo.prototype = {         


        

Answer 1

IE has a lot of problems with named function expressions. As you said in your question, stick with this:

this.foo = function (){};

For an in-depth, grueling read on this topic, check out this link

The short of it is that the inner, named function expression is treated as a function declaration, and hoisted up to places it should never, ever be.