Understanding JavaScript Property Descriptors 3

If this is your first time here, you should read the part 1 and part 2 of this series. Then come back to this to continue.

Now that we know the basics, this post covers the JavaScript methods for setting and modifying object property descriptors.

1. Object.preventExtensions()

This blocks the addition of new properties to an object. Literally, it prevents extending the object in any way (pun intended) and returns the object.

This is a one-way switch, once an object is made inextensible, there is no way to undo the action. Just recreate the object. Another thing to note too is that once an object becomes inextensible, its protoype object automatically becomes closed to extensions too ; so be careful especially if ‘inheriting‘ or ‘delegating’ to parent types.

There is also the object.isExtensible method for checking if an object has been made inextensible. This comes in handy because trying to extend such objects in strict mode would cause a TypeError.

let obj = { a : 1 };
Object.preventExtensions(obj);
// can't add new properties
obj.b = 3;
obj; // { a : 1 }

// can still change existing properties
obj.a = 3;
obj.a; // 3

Object.isExtensible(obj); // false

Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(obj, 'a');
// Object {
//     value: 3,
//     writable: true,
//     enumerable: true,
//     configurable: true
// }

2. Object.seal()

Calling Object.seal on an object achieves the following:

1. Marks every existing property on the object as non-configurable
2. Then call Object.preventExtensions to prevent adding new properties

Once an object is sealed, then you can’t add new properties or modify the existing ones. All the rules of non-configurability described in earlier posts apply.

Note however that this still leaves writable so it should be possible to change the value of the property (both ways, direct access or using Object.defineProperty). However since configurable is false, you can’t delete it.

The Object.isSealed method also exists for checking sealed objects.

let sealedObj = { a : 1 };
Object.seal(sealedObj);
// non-configurable
delete sealedObj.a; // false
sealedObj.a; // 1 

// can still write
sealedObj.a = 2;
sealedObj.a; // 2

//Check properties
Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(sealedObj, 'a');
// Object {
//     value: 2,
//     writable: true,
//     enumerable: true,
//     configurable: false
// }

// Check
Object.isSealed(sealedObj); // true
Object.isExtensible(sealedObj); // false

As shown above, the configurable property descriptor is now false. All properties of the object would have configurable set as false.

3. Object.freeze()

Similar to seal, calling Object.freeze on an object does the following:

1. Mark every existing property on the object as non-writable
2. Invokes Object.seal to prevent adding new properties and marks existing properties as non-configurable

Freeze is the highest level of immutability possible using these methods. Properties are now closed to changes due to the false configurable and writable attribute values. And yes, there is the expected Object.isFrozen method too.

let frozenObj = { a : 1 };
Object.freeze(frozenObj);

// non writable
frozenObj.a = 2;
frozenObj.a; // 1

// non configurable
delete frozenObj.a; // false
frozenObj.a; // 1

Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(frozenObj, 'a');
// Object {
//     value: 1,
//     writable: false,
//     enumerable: true,
//     configurable: false
// }

// Check
Object.isFrozen(frozenObj); // true
Object.isSealed(frozenObj); // true
Object.isExtensible(frozenObj); // false

4. Shallow nature of descriptors

A very important caveat to know while using these methods occurs when using them on properties that are reference values. These data descriptor properties and methods are all shallow and would not update the properties inside the referenced values.

So if you freeze an object containing another object, then the contained object properties are not automatically frozen; rather you’d have to write your own recursive implementation to handle that.

let shallow = {
    inner: {
        a : 1
    }
};

Object.freeze(shallow);
shallow.inner = null; // fails
shallow; // { inner : { a : 1 } }

// inner properties not frozen
shallow.inner.a = 2;
shallow.inner.a; // 2

Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(shallow, 'inner');
// Object {
//     value: {a : 1},
//     writable: false,
//     enumerable: true,
//     configurable: false
// }

Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(shallow.inner, 'a');
// Object {
//     value: 1,
//     writable: true,
//     enumerable: true,
//     configurable: true
// }

Object.isFrozen(shallow); // true
Object.isFrozen(shallow.inner); // false

As the property descriptors above show, the inner object is frozen however its own properties are not.

Conclusion

Well, that about wraps it up! I hope you enjoyed the series and learnt a lot. Do let me know your thoughts and continue reading!

1. Deep dive into JavaScript Property Descriptors
2. Understanding JavaScript Property Descriptors 2