[DEPRECATED] Small JS class that provides async control flow, property listeners, barrier pattern, and more.
Please note: This project is deprecated at Zynga and is no longer maintained.
Atom.js is a small, easy to use JavaScript class that provides asynchronous
control flow, event/property listeners, barriers, and more.
npm install atom-js
To run from command line using node.js:
node test.js // brief
node test.js -v // verbose
To run in a browser, open test.html, or go
here.
This is a.
var a
a is an atom.
var a = atom();
An atom has properties. The .get() and .set() methods may be employed to
read and write values of any type.
a.set('key', 'value');
console.log('Value of key: ' + a.get('key'));
a.set({
pi: 3.141592653,
r: 5,
circumference: function () {
return 2 * a.get('pi') * a.get('r');
}
});
console.log('Circumference: ' + a.get('circumference')());
Parameters to the constructor will also be set as properties.
a = atom('key', 'value');
a = atom({ pi: 3.141592653, r: 5 });
Use .has() to query for existence of a property, and .keys() to get a list
of all properties that have been set.
if (a.has('game')) {
console.log('What "a" brings to the table: ' + a.keys());
}
The .each() method lets you execute a function on a series of properties.
a.set({ r: 0xBA, g: 0xDA, b: 0x55 });
a.each(['r', 'g', 'b'], function (key, value) {
console.log(key + ': ' + value);
});
Listeners may be attached to atoms in a variety of ways.
To be notified as soon as a property is set, use the .once() method. The
callback will be called immediately if the property is already set.
a.once('userInfo', function (userInfo) {
alert('Welcome, ' + userInfo.name + '!');
});
Many atom methods can work with more than one property at a time.
a.once(['userInfo', 'appInfo'], function (user, app) {
alert('Welcome to ' + app.name + ', ' + user.name + '!');
});
When you just want to know about the next change, even if the property is
already set, use .next().
a.next('click', function (click) {
alert('Are you done clicking on ' + click.button + ' yet?');
});
To watch for any future changes to a property, use the .on() (alias .bind())
method.
function myErrorHandler(error) {
console.log('There was a grevious calamity of code in ' + a.get('module'));
console.log(error);
}
a.on('error', myErrorHandler);
Note that setting a property with a primitive (string/number/boolean) value will
only trigger listeners if the value is different. On the other hand, setting
an array or object value will always trigger listeners.
You can unregister any listener using .off() (alias .unbind()).
a.off(myErrorHandler);
If you only want to remove the listener associated with a particular key or
keys, you can specify those too:
a.off(['a', 'b'], myErrorHandler);
You can register a provider for a property.
a.provide('privacyPolicy', function (done) {
httpRequest(baseUrl + '/privacy.txt', function (content) {
done(content);
});
});
Providers only get invoked if there is a need, and if the property is not
already set. Use the .need() method to declare a need for a particular
property. If a corresponding provider is registered, it will be invoked.
Otherwise, .need() behaves just like .once().
a.on('clickPrivacy', function () {
a.need('privacyPolicy', function (text) {
element.innerText = text;
});
});
Properties of two or more atoms can be entangled, using the .entangle()
method. When an entangled property gets set on one atom, the value will
instantly propagate to the other.
var b = atom();
a.entangle(b, 'email');
a.set('email', '[email protected]');
console.log('Entangled email: ' + b.get('email'));
.entangle() also works when called with a list of properties.
a.entangle(b, ['firstname', 'lastname']);
If called with a map of property names, then property ‘X’ on one atom can be
entangled with property ‘Y’ on the other atom.
a.entangle(b, { firstname: 'first', lastname: 'last' });
a.set('firstname', 'Joe');
console.log('Welcome, ' + b.get('first'));
Note that entangled properties are not actually synchronized until the first
change after entanglement.
String together a series of asynchronous functions using the .chain() method.
a.chain(
function (nextLink) {
callAjaxMethod('callThisFirst', function (firstResult) {
nextLink(firstResult);
});
},
function (nextLink, firstResult) {
callAjaxMethod('callThisSecond', function (secondResult) {
nextLink(secondResult);
});
}
);
Not to be confused with the .chain() method specifically, “method chaining”
actually refers to the practice of stringing together multiple method calls in
a single expression.
a = atom('start', new Date())
.once('loaded', function () {
console.log('Finished loading.');
})
.once('shutdown', function () {
console.log('Shutting down.');
})
.set('loaded', true);
The .chain(), .each(), .entangle(), .mixin(), .need(), .next(),
.off(), .on(), .once(), .provide() and .set() methods are all
chainable.
Release references to all data and callback functions with the .destroy()
method.
a.destroy();
After being destroyed, most of an atom’s functions will throw exceptions when
called.