JavaScript Date prototype


Example

Make a new date method that gives the date object a month-name property called myName:

Date.prototype.myMonth = function()
{
if (this.getMonth()==0) {return "January"};
if (this.getMonth()==1) {return "February"};
if (this.getMonth()==2) {return "March"};
if (this.getMonth()==3) {return "April"};
if (this.getMonth()==4) {return "May"};
if (this.getMonth()==5) {return "June"};
if (this.getMonth()==6) {return "July"};
if (this.getMonth()==7) {return "August"};
if (this.getMonth()==8) {return "September"};
if (this.getMonth()==9) {return "October"};
if (this.getMonth()==10) {return "November"};
if (this.getMonth()==11) {return "December"};
}

Make a Date object, then call the myMonth method:

const d = new Date();
let month = d.myMonth();
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Description

prototype allows you to add new properties and methods to dates.

prototype is a property available with all JavaScript objects.

Browser Support

prototype is an ECMAScript1 (ES1) feature.

ES1 (JavaScript 1997) is fully supported in all browsers:

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera IE
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Syntax

Date.prototype.name = value

Warning

You are not advised to change the prototype of an object that you do not control.

You should not change the prototype of built in JavaScript datatypes like:

  • Numbers
  • Strings
  • Arrays
  • Dates
  • Booleans
  • Function
  • Objects

Only change the prototype of your own objects.

The prototype Property

The JavaScript prototype property allows you to add new properties to objects:

Example

function Person(first, last, age, eyecolor) {
  this.firstName = first;
  this.lastName = last;
  this.eyeColor = eyecolor;
}

Person.prototype.nationality = "English";
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