Why is the javascript object prototype referred to as `fn`?

Question

What's the etymology of such terminology? Where does it come from? What does it stand for?

Do you mean jQuery.fn? I don't think fn has special meaning in the Javascript language per se... — Frédéric Hamidi, Commented Jul 31, 2012 at 19:13

Frédéric Hamidi · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-31 19:26:17Z

4

fn is the traditional abbreviation for function.

jQuery.fn is an object, sometimes called a namespace, that is exposed by the global jQuery object. Functions that are members of jQuery.fn can be applied to jQuery objects:

$("#foo").hide();  // Here, 'hide()' is actually '$.fn.hide()'.

edited Jul 31, 2012 at 19:26

answered Jul 31, 2012 at 19:21

Frédéric Hamidi

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Joe Johnson · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-31 19:20:03Z

2

The etymology is mathematical. f(n) is mathematical nomenclature representing a function.

answered Jul 31, 2012 at 19:20

Joe Johnson

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The mathematical etymology is f(x) normally though, not n
– Alex
Commented Jul 31, 2012 at 19:21
@AlexW in computer science we generally use n instead of x (see here)
– jbabey
Commented Jul 31, 2012 at 19:24

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Alex · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-31 19:18:08Z

1

It's used in jQuery to be the property where plugins can assign themselves. It means function as all plugins are self executing functions.

http://docs.jquery.com/Plugins/Authoring

The javascript object prototype property is called just that: object.prototype and is used to help with object oriented JS.

answered Jul 31, 2012 at 19:18

Alex

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