Backbone.ComputedFields

Inspired by Derik Bailey's Backbone.Computed, Backbone.ComputedFields aims the same goal, but polished for real project needs.

Quick start

Instantiated in initialize method,

initialize: function () {
    this.computedFields = new Backbone.ComputedFields(this);
},

ComputedField is declared as computed in model,

computed: {
 
}

All properties inside are treated as computed fields.

computed: {
    grossPrice: {
        get: function () {
            return 105;
        }
    }
}

computed can also be a function returning an object.

computed: function() {
    return {
        grossPrice: {
            get: function () {
                return 105;
            }
        }
    };
}

Each property that declares get or set method is treated as computed.

Get the value of computed property,

model.get('grossPrice');    // -> 105 is returned

Dependent fields

In case that computed field depends on some other models fields,

computed: {
    grossPrice: {
        depends: ['netPrice', 'vatRate'],
        get: function (fields) {
            return fields.netPrice * (1 + fields.vatRate / 100);
        }
    }
}

Add depends object into computed field object, as array of dependent fields. Dependent fields are injected into corresponding get method, by passing initialized fields object inside,

var Model = Backbone.Model.extend({
    defaults: {
        'netPrice': 0.0,
        'vatRate': 0.0
    },
 
    initialize: function () {
        this.computedFields = new Backbone.ComputedFields(this);
    },
 
    computed: {
        grossPrice: {
            depends: ['netPrice', 'vatRate'],
            get: function (fields) {
                return fields.netPrice * (1 + fields.vatRate / 100);
            }
        }
    }
});
 
model = new Model({ netPrice: 100, vatRate: 20});
model.get('grossPrice')     // -> 120 is returned

Setting computed values

Besides of get computed field might have set method as well.

computed: {
    grossPrice: {
        depends: ['netPrice', 'vatRate'],
        get: function (fields) {
            return fields.netPrice * (1 + fields.vatRate / 100);
        },
        set: function (value, fields) {
            fields.netPrice = value / (1 + fields.vatRate / 100);
        }
    }
}

set function receives the fields object, with same names of properties as model attributes. If set function changes the value of property, the change is propagated to model. Typically, you should change only one field in set method.

Model changes

In case of depended field is changed, computed field is automatically updated

model.set({vatRate: 5});
model.get('grossPrice');        // -> 105 is returned
 
// or
 
model.set({netPrice: 120});
model.get('grossPrice');        // -> 126 is returned

In case of calculated field is changed, dependent field in automatically updated

model.set({grossPrice: 105});
model.get('netPrice');          // -> 100 is returned

Model events

To make views works correctly, it important to keep correct events distribution.

In case of depended field is changed,

model.set({netPrice: 120});

After that call, several events are triggered - change:netPrice, as a reaction of grossPrice updated, change:grossPrice is triggered.

In case of computed field is changed,

model.set({grossPrice: 80});

After that call, several events are triggered - change:grossPrice, as a reaction of netPrice updated, change:netPrice is triggered.

Model validation

The same rules as for usual Backbone.js model attributes rules are applied for computed ones. If model contains validate() method and invalid is being set, the change would not propagate into model attributes, error event is triggered instead.

Say, we have such validation function,

validate: function (attrs) {
 
    var errors = [];
    if (!_.isNumber(attrs.netPrice) || attrs.netPrice < 0) {
        errors.push('netPrice is invalid');
    }
 
    if (!_.isNumber(attrs.grossPrice) || attrs.grossPrice < 0) {
        errors.push('grossPrice is invalid');
    }
 
    return errors.length > 0 ? errors : false;
}

And change computed field,

model.set({grossPrice: ''});

The model is will remain in valid state, { netPrice: 100, vatRate: 20, grossPrice: 120 }.

Dependency function

Computed field might have dependency not only on internal model attributes, but on external objects too. For instance, the product show price depends on currency selected by user in currency widget. Besides properties names, depends: [] can accept function, that is responsible to fire callback if change occurred.

computed: {
    grossPrice: {
        depends: ['netPrice', 'vatRate', function (callback) {
            this.external.on('change:value', callback);
        }],
        get: function (fields) {
            return this.external.get('value');
        }
    }
}

JSON payload

By default all computed fields are treated as part of JSON payload,

model.toJSON()          // -> { "netPrice": 100, "grossPrice": 120, "vatRate": 20 };

To disable that add toJSON: false in computed field declaration,

computed: {
    grossPrice: {
        depends: ['netPrice', 'vatRate'],
        get: function (fields) {
            return fields.netPrice * (1 + fields.vatRate / 100);
        },
        set: function (value, fields) {
            fields.netPrice = value / (1 + fields.vatRate / 100);
        },
        toJSON: false
    }
}

If you'd like to force the computed fields into the JSON payload even if the toJSON option is false, pass computedFields: true to the toJSON function:

model.toJSON({ computedFields: true })

More details

Up-to-date and complete documentation is located at /test/spec/backbone.computedfields.spec.js.

Legal Info (MIT License)

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