initialize versus constructor

[taybin]

When would I want to use initialize() and when would I want to use constructor()? The documentation make it look like they are synonyms, but the source shows they handled differently.

[tbranyen]

constructor runs before Backbone sets up the structure. initialize is called inside the structure's constructor function. So basically if you need to augment anything before Backbone sets up the structure, use constructor if you need to augment anything after Backbone sets up the structure use initialize.

[taybin]

Thanks, that makes sense. I'd mark this closed, but it looks like you want to update the documentation?

[wookiehangover]

+1 for making this more explicit in the documentation

[fengdi]

They are different.

constructor:function(){
    TestModel.__super__.constructor.apply(this, arguments);
    //todo   
 }

same as

initialize:function(){
     //todo
}

[braddunbar]

Hi @fengdi! You're right but using __super__ is not recommended and instead you should use the parent directly.

constructor: function() {
  Parent.apply(this, arguments);
  // ...
}