Should I use `this` or `$scope`?

Matheus Mello
Matheus Mello
September 2, 2023
Cover Image for Should I use `this` or `$scope`?

Should I use this or $scope?

šŸ¤” When it comes to accessing controller functions in AngularJS, there are two popular patterns: this and $scope. But which one should you use and when? Let's dive in and find out! šŸ’”

The this Pattern

šŸ‘€ The this pattern is pretty straightforward. In this pattern, you simply define your controller function as an object and assign your functions to it using this.

Let's take a look at an example:

function UserCtrl() {
  this.bye = function() { alert('....'); };
}

✨ In your HTML, you can then use the "Controller as Var" syntax to access the functions:

<body ng-controller='UserCtrl as uCtrl'>
  <button ng-click='uCtrl.bye()'>bye</button>
</body>

šŸ‘ Many developers find the this pattern to be easier on the eyes and more natural compared to other JavaScript OO patterns. It's a modern approach that aligns well with ES6 classes.

The $scope Pattern

🤲 The $scope pattern, on the other hand, involves injecting the $scope object into your controller function. You then assign your functions to the $scope object.

Here's an example:

function UserCtrl($scope) {
    $scope.bye = function () { alert('....'); };
}

šŸŽ‰ In your HTML, you can directly invoke the function using ng-click:

<body ng-controller='UserCtrl'>
    <button ng-click='bye()'>bye</button>
</body>

ā—ļø While using $scope is a valid approach, it's important to note that as of AngularJS 1.5+, the recommended best practice is to use the this pattern. The this pattern aligns better with the component-based architecture that AngularJS is moving towards.

Summary and Advice

šŸ“ To summarize, both patterns are valid options for accessing controller functions. However, if you're using a newer version of AngularJS (1.5+) or embracing the "Controller as Var" syntax, it's highly recommended to use the this pattern.

šŸ’” By using the this pattern, you'll be aligning your code with the latest best practices of AngularJS and making your code more readable and maintainable.

šŸ‘‰ So, next time you find yourself wondering whether to use this or $scope, remember to choose this if you want to stay up to date with AngularJS's evolving standards.

And that's it! We hope this guide has helped you in making an informed decision. What's your experience with this versus $scope? Let us know in the comments below! šŸŽ‰

Take Your Tech Career to the Next Level

Our application tracking tool helps you manage your job search effectively. Stay organized, track your progress, and land your dream tech job faster.

Your Product
Product promotion

Share this article

More Articles You Might Like

Latest Articles

Cover Image for How can I echo a newline in a batch file?
batch-filenewlinewindows

How can I echo a newline in a batch file?

Published on March 20, 2060

šŸ”„ šŸ’» šŸ†’ Title: "Getting a Fresh Start: How to Echo a Newline in a Batch File" Introduction: Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Have you ever found yourself in a sticky situation with your batch file output? We've got your back! In this exciting blog post, we

Cover Image for How do I run Redis on Windows?
rediswindows

How do I run Redis on Windows?

Published on March 19, 2060

# Running Redis on Windows: Easy Solutions for Redis Enthusiasts! šŸš€ Redis is a powerful and popular in-memory data structure store that offers blazing-fast performance and versatility. However, if you're a Windows user, you might have stumbled upon the c

Cover Image for Best way to strip punctuation from a string
punctuationpythonstring

Best way to strip punctuation from a string

Published on November 1, 2057

# The Art of Stripping Punctuation: Simplifying Your Strings šŸ’„āœ‚ļø Are you tired of dealing with pesky punctuation marks that cause chaos in your strings? Have no fear, for we have a solution that will strip those buggers away and leave your texts clean an

Cover Image for Purge or recreate a Ruby on Rails database
rakeruby-on-railsruby-on-rails-3

Purge or recreate a Ruby on Rails database

Published on November 27, 2032

# Purge or Recreate a Ruby on Rails Database: A Simple Guide šŸš€ So, you have a Ruby on Rails database that's full of data, and you're now considering deleting everything and starting from scratch. Should you purge the database or recreate it? šŸ¤” Well, my