Behavior of CoffeeScript Fat Arrow

In CoffeeScript there are two different types of arrows for defining functions: arrow (->) and fat arrow or hash rocket (=>). Usually, you'll use the regular arrow. But sometimes you'll want the special behavior of the fat arrow.

Function Binding

In JavaScript, the keyword this within a function refers to the thing that the function is attached to. Since functions can be invoked in various ways in an average application, what this actually references will change.

For instance, if a function is invoked as a callback in an event handler, this within that handler will likely reference window in JavaScript running within a web browser. Often, this is not the desired reference.

The solution in vanilla JavaScript is to save a reference to the context the function is defined within and then use that reference in lieu of the this keyword. My favorite name to save the this reference into is called self. In JavaScript, that might look like:

this.myVal = "my val"
var self = this
var myFn = function () {
  console.log(self.myVal); // will print "my val"
}

CoffeeScript Function Binding

CoffeeScript understands this basic need and makes the reference saving even easier. When you use the fat arrow, or hash rocket, it will perform function binding. It uses a variable called _this automatically.

CoffeeScript Binding Rules

1. When a fat arrow is used to bind a function, a _this reference is saved in the same context as the function that was declared.

2. When properties of this are accessed inside the bound function, they will use the saved _this reference (e.g., @myVal would compile to _this.myVal).

3. When fat arrows are used to bind functions nested within bound functions, the _this reference from the top-level bound function context is used in the nested bound functions.

4. The deepest non-bound function context will be used to save a _this reference when a bound function is declared.

When to use Fat Arrow

Given that, here are the every day rules on when to use the fat arrow:

1. If the context of this in you function could change based on how it was invoked but properties of this need to always reference the context where the function was created, declare the function with a fat arrow.

2. If nested functions exhibit the same need as in rule #1, declare them with the fat arrow.

3. Don't bind, then not bind, then bind again in nested functions. The inner binding will clobber the _this reference and will likely not be what you expect in the outer context (see the last example below).

A Swirl of Examples

Here are a bunch of examples of bound and non-bound functions. The first code snippet is the CoffeeScript source. The second code snippet is the compiled JavaScript.

No Bound Functions

Just regular CoffeeScript function declarations.

myVal: 'my val'
myNonBoundFn: ->
  console.log @myVal

And in JavaScript:

({
  myVal: 'my val',
  myNonBoundFn: function() {
    return console.log(this.myVal);
  }
});

Bound Function

Introduced the fat arrow

myVal: 'my val'
myBoundFn: =>
  console.log @myVal

In JavaScript:

var _this = this;
({
  myVal: 'my val',
  myBoundFn: function() {
    return console.log(_this.myVal);
  }
});

Bound, Non-bound Inner Function

Notice the inner function is not bound, and defaults back to just referencing this.

myVal: 'my val'
myBoundFn: =>
  myInnerNonBoundFn = ->
    console.log @myVal

JavaScript:

var _this = this;
({
  myVal: 'my val',
  myBoundFn: function() {
    var myInnerNonBoundFn;
    return myInnerNonBoundFn = function() {
      return console.log(this.myVal);
    };
  }
});

Bound Within Bound Functions

Inner bound function uses top-level _this.

myVal: 'my val'
myBoundFn: =>
  myInnerBoundFn = =>
    console.log @myVal

And the translation:

var _this = this;
({
  myVal: 'my val',
  myBoundFn: function() {
    var myInnerBoundFn;
    return myInnerBoundFn = function() {
      return console.log(_this.myVal);
    };
  }
});

Bound, Non-bound, then Bound Functions

When myVeryInnerBoundFn uses the fat arrow inside of myInnerNonBoundFn, which does not, _this = this is generated again. And when myOtherBoundFn is called, the @what property will be undefined.

myVal: 'my val'
what: 'is this?'
myBoundFn: =>
  myInnerNonBoundFn = ->
    myVeryInnerBoundFn = =>
      console.log @myVal
myOtherBoundFn: =>
  console.log @what

Compiled to JavaScript:

var _this = this;
({
  myVal: 'my val',
  what: 'is this?',
  myBoundFn: function() {
    var myInnerNonBoundFn;
    return myInnerNonBoundFn = function() {
      var myVeryInnerBoundFn,
        _this = this;
      return myVeryInnerBoundFn = function() {
        return console.log(_this.myVal);
      };
    };
  },
  myOtherBoundFn: function() {
    return console.log(_this.what);
  }
});