When you start learning JavaScript, you’ll often hear this phrase:
“In JavaScript, everything is an object.”
But what’s often left out is how JavaScript handles inheritance — not through classes (traditionally), but through prototypes.
In this post, we’ll explore:
What prototypes are
How the prototype chain works
proto vs prototype
How JavaScript uses prototypes for inheritance
How ES6 classes relate to prototypes
When and why you should care
What Is a Prototype?
In JavaScript, every object has an internal link to another object called its prototype.
This prototype object can have its own prototype, forming a prototype chain. The chain ends when a prototype is null.
Think of it like a fallback mechanism: if a property or method isn’t found on an object, JavaScript looks up the chain.
Want to truly understand how JavaScript handles inheritance under the hood? Dive into my latest article: Understanding Prototypes in JavaScript. Whether you're a beginner or brushing up advanced concepts, this deep dive will clarify how prototype chains, constructors, and inheritance really work. Don't miss it!
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