How to convert String to function in JavaScript?

Question

I have the following code which I am using for making a simple template engine.The html page is as follows:-

<ns tmp="red"></ns>
<ns tmp="blue"></ns>

On the other hand I have a JavaScript as in a JQuery Plugin which reads the tags and then gets the attribute of tmp now I want to receive the value of the string and then convert it to a function so as to give a call to a predefined value inside the object but the conversion of the string to function is not working. I referred some questions in Stack overflow but wasn't useful. Then JQuery code I have mentioned below.

(function($){

    /*Collection of the template data*/
    var k=template();
    /*This retrieves all the custom tags and gets the template
    property to point to.*/
    var templateArray=$('ns');
    templateArray.each(function(){
    var template=$(this).attr('tmp');
    var funcName=window[template]();//This does not work
    alert(l());
    });
})(jQuery);

    function template(){
        var t={
            blue:function(){
            return "Hello";
            },
             red:function(){
            return "ff";
            }
        };
        return t;
    }

Please suggest how to get along this. I have this on fiddle too. feel free to edit so that I would be able to call the function inside the object in some way.Thanks Fiddle Link FIDDLE LINK

You're calling window["red"] and window["blue"]; but there are no methods defined on the window that are named red and blue. — David G
– David G, Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 12:11
So you actually want to call k[template], not window[template], right? — Qnan
– Qnan, Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 12:13
@David consider I want to get the function or convert the string to the function and call it like k.MyFunction() . Rather than attaching it to the window is there any other way from where I can use the object k to call the function within it ie. blue — Shiv Kumar Ganesh
– Shiv Kumar Ganesh, Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 12:14
@MikhailKozhevnikov ya something like k.[template] where [template] refers to the function I get after conversion of string to function.Hope I am clear, if not please let me know. — Shiv Kumar Ganesh
– Shiv Kumar Ganesh, Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 12:15

Thomas · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-02 12:33:14Z

1

In javascript objects and arrays are the same thing. So template.red and template['red'] are the same thing.

I suggest putting the functions into an array. This way you can even extend it at run time.

http://jsfiddle.net/tricki/YS9Gs/10/

answered Jul 2, 2012 at 12:33

Thomas

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1 Comment

Shiv Kumar Ganesh Over a year ago

That was the answer I was looking for about objects and arrays. Thanks for explaining.

user447356 · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-02 12:22:33Z

As also pointed out in a comment, the functions you want to execute are not part of the window object but rather part of your template object, thus you need to take them from the proper place.

Also, using the same name of existing function for a local variable might work, but not a good idea at all, you better use proper names.

Working code:

templateArray.each(function(){
    var tmp = $(this).attr('tmp');
    var funcName=k[tmp];
    var result = funcName();
    alert(result);
});

Updated fiddle.

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