Introduction to LangChain: Make AI Smarter and Easier to use

The call() function is a fantastic method in javascript. It makes some people confusion some times, like me. Here let us to make it clear.

Syntax

call([thisObj[,arg1[, arg2[, [,.argN]]]]])

• thisObj (optional): it’s object which can be act as currently this object.
• arg1, arg2, argN (optional) : the parameters which can be passed to the method.

The call method can be used to instead of another object to invoke a method. It can change the object context of a function to a new object which thisObj referenced.

Note: The thisObj is a optional parameter, it will reference to Global object if it is not provided. And the call method is only used by Function object.

Example

Let’s use fake code to explain it firstly. see below code:

obj1.method1.call(obj2, arg1, arg2);

The functionality of call method is that obj2 is able to invoke the method1 of obj1 with arg1, arg2 parameters.

Let’s see a simple example:

var add = function(a, b) {
	return a + b;
};

var sub = function(a, b) {
	return a - b;
};

var result = add.call(sub, 1, 2);

The value of result variable is 3, not -1. Because the sub function object has been insteaded by add function object. So the add.call(sub, 1, 2) actually is add(1, 2).

Note: *The function actually is a object in javascript, and the function name is a reference of Fuction object.

Okay, so let’s see a little complex example:

function ClassOne() {
	this.message = "class one";
	this.showMessage = function () {
		console.log(this.message);
	};
};

function ClassTwo() {
	this.message = "class two";
};

var classOne = new ClassOne();
var classTwo = new ClassTwo();
classOne.showMessage.call(classTwo);

This will print the ‘class two’ message in the console window of browser. You can execute above code fragment to check it.
In this example, the classTwo object doesn’t have showMesage function, but he want to display his message, so he can invoke classOne‘s with call method.

So far, maybe you will think we can use the call function to simulate the Inheritance of OOP. You are right, let’s get the example.

function BaseClass() {
	this.message = "base class";
	this.showMessage = function () {
		console.log(this.message);
	};
};

function MyClass() {
	BaseClass.call(this);
};

var myClass = new MyClass();
myClass.showMessage();

So the MyClass inherites the BaseClass. The BaseClass.call(this) that means using the object of BaseClass to instead of this object. So the MyClass can access the property and function of BaseClass.