JavaScript prototypes, prototype chain, and prototypal inheritance

Prototype and inheritance lessons

1. Prototype chain

   Follow how JavaScript looks up missing properties through an object's prototype chain.

   Outcome: Explain inherited properties and methods without treating classes as magic.

   • JavaScript prototype
   • prototype chain
   • prototypal inheritance
   Study Prototypal inheritance

2. Constructor function prototypes

   Learn how constructor functions share methods through the prototype property.

   Outcome: Connect constructor functions to reusable object behavior.

   • function prototype
   • constructor prototype
   • new operator prototype
   Study F.prototype

3. Native prototypes

   Understand built-in prototypes behind arrays, functions, strings, objects, and other native values.

   Outcome: Reason about methods inherited from JavaScript built-ins.

   • native prototypes
   • built-in prototypes
   • Array prototype
   Study Native prototypes

4. Prototype methods

   Work with prototype methods and object creation patterns that avoid direct __proto__ usage.

   Outcome: Use safer prototype APIs in modern JavaScript code.

   • prototype methods
   • Object.create
   • objects without __proto__
   Study Prototype methods, objects without __proto__

5. Classes on top of prototypes

   Connect class syntax to the same prototype model used by constructor functions and object inheritance.

   Outcome: Read class code while understanding its underlying prototype behavior.

   • JavaScript classes prototypes
   • class syntax
   • prototype class
   Study Class basic syntax

6. Class inheritance

   Use extends and super while understanding how class inheritance still relies on prototypes.

   Outcome: Model specialized object types without losing the prototype mental model.

   • class inheritance
   • extends JavaScript
   • super JavaScript
   Study Class inheritance

7. instanceof checks

   Check values against constructor or class hierarchies and understand how instanceof follows prototypes.

   Outcome: Validate object instances without confusing plain objects and class instances.

   • instanceof JavaScript
   • constructor check
   • prototype check
   Study Class checking: "instanceof"

8. Mixins and composition

   Share behavior across class hierarchies with mixin patterns when single inheritance is too restrictive.

   Outcome: Reuse object behavior without forcing every type into one inheritance tree.

   • JavaScript mixins
   • class composition
   • prototype behavior
   Study Mixins