What is the correct way to “serialize” functions in javascript for later use

Question

I have a \"library\" of objects that I want to load on the fly from a database. Each object comes with its own special functions that are called at specific times depending

Answer 1

Changing the prototype of the object is a half thought I have.

You've got your library like

library = {
  "myObj" : {"name" : "myObj", "type" : "myType", "function" : function () { } } //, etc
}

You've got an object (let's call it theObj) that you know is a myObj (due to a string maybe? property?)

theObj.__proto__ = library["myObj"];

That way you can execute

theObj.function(...);

jsfiddle example (it's rough!). Also, be careful with proto, it's deprecated (1) (2)

As to serializing the functions, can you get them in using a script tag that points to something serverside that slurps them from the db and returns the js? Just include them inline as you render the page (in a script block)? Or, if all else fails, eval should work, as long as you know that the functions you've got stored in the database are clean and safe.