JavaScript: clone a function

Here is an updated answer

var newFunc = oldFunc.bind({}); //clones the function with '{}' acting as its new 'this' parameter

However .bind is a modern ( >=iE9 ) feature of JavaScript (with a compatibility workaround from MDN)

Notes

  1. It does not clone the function object additional attached properties, including the prototype property. Credit to @jchook

  2. The new function this variable is stuck with the argument given on bind(), even on new function apply() calls. Credit to @Kevin

function oldFunc() {
  console.log(this.msg);
}
var newFunc = oldFunc.bind({ msg: "You shall not pass!" }); // this object is binded
newFunc.apply({ msg: "hello world" }); //logs "You shall not pass!" instead
  1. Bound function object, instanceof treats newFunc/oldFunc as the same. Credit to @Christopher
(new newFunc()) instanceof oldFunc; //gives true
(new oldFunc()) instanceof newFunc; //gives true as well
newFunc == oldFunc; //gives false however

Here's a slightly better version of Jared's answer. This one won't end up with deeply nested functions the more you clone. It always calls the original.

Function.prototype.clone = function() {
    var cloneObj = this;
    if(this.__isClone) {
      cloneObj = this.__clonedFrom;
    }

    var temp = function() { return cloneObj.apply(this, arguments); };
    for(var key in this) {
        temp[key] = this[key];
    }

    temp.__isClone = true;
    temp.__clonedFrom = cloneObj;

    return temp;
};

Also, in response to the updated answer given by pico.creator, it is worth noting that the bind() function added in Javascript 1.8.5 has the same problem as Jared's answer - it will keep nesting causing slower and slower functions each time it is used.


try this:

var x = function() {
    return 1;
};

var t = function(a,b,c) {
    return a+b+c;
};


Function.prototype.clone = function() {
    var that = this;
    var temp = function temporary() { return that.apply(this, arguments); };
    for(var key in this) {
        if (this.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
            temp[key] = this[key];
        }
    }
    return temp;
};

alert(x === x.clone());
alert(x() === x.clone()());

alert(t === t.clone());
alert(t(1,1,1) === t.clone()(1,1,1));
alert(t.clone()(1,1,1));