There are essentially three main approaches you can take:
- Public Global Variable: Exposing settings as a global variable for access by functions.
- Private Implementation Detail: Hiding settings as an implementation detail while still allowing access by functions.
- Function Parameter Flexibility: Providing the option to supply different settings objects to various functions.
Global Variable Method
If your settings object acts as a singleton for your application and there's no need to switch between different settings, using a global variable is a viable option. However, it's recommended to namespace global variables in JavaScript to avoid naming conflicts.
Private Variable Method
For scenarios where you wish to conceal the settings object from external API use, employing a private variable accessed through closure is a suitable choice.
Additional Function Parameter Approach
This approach proves beneficial when there's a demand for varying settings input for distinct function calls or potential future advantages. It's particularly useful when managing multiple instances of settings within an application.
EDIT
In response to queries from comments:
Example 1)
var blah = 123;
function fizbuzz() {
console.log(blah); // Example of closure accessing a variable
console.log(this.blah); // Likely irrelevant, as 'this' usually refers to the window object
}
Example 2)
var obj = {
blah: 123,
fizbuzz: function() {
console.log(this.blah); // Not a closure example; closest method-based instance variable access in JS
console.log(blah); // No accessible 'blah' variable here
}
};
To delve deeper into understanding these concepts, I recommend delving into fundamental Javascript principles through reputable resources.