Window function pointer not working in JavaScript [duplicate]

Question

I have some code where I need to call a function when I have it's name in a string. For example:

var util = {
    exByName: function(name) {
        window[name](arguments);
    }
};
util.exByName("console.log", "blah");

When I run this, the error 'Uncaught TypeError: window[name] is not a function' however, when I ran this in the browser (Opera):

window["console.log"]("blah");

It works fine. Can someone help me with this?

Because you can reference nested properties like that. And I know chrome will not work referencing it like that. — epascarello
– epascarello, Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:07
make sure whatever function youre calling is actually in the window scope. if you used a window.onload or a $(function(){...}) then it's not in the window scope. — I wrestled a bear once.
– I wrestled a bear once., Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:10
@Misaz - of course it is. if it's not in the window scope then accessing it through the window will not work. — I wrestled a bear once.
– I wrestled a bear once., Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:13
@Iwrestledabearonce. window["console.log"]("blah"); does not work in chrome... unless someone did window["console.log"] = console.log.bind(console); — epascarello
– epascarello, Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:14
@epascarello - that's why i deleted the comment. its the dot notation that breaks it, not the bracket notation. i get what youre saying. — I wrestled a bear once.
– I wrestled a bear once., Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:16

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:53:35Z

1

With other browsers and namespaced functions like console.log you have to use:

window["console"]["log"]("blah")

See this entry for further details.

CommunityBot

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answered Nov 15, 2016 at 20:08

gus27

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Comments

TimoStaudinger · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-15 20:09:17Z

1

You cannot access nested object properties using the dot notation in brackets.

Instead, access different nested levels via separate brackets:

window["console"]["log"]("foo");

answered Nov 15, 2016 at 20:09

TimoStaudinger

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