#Backbone.ComputedFields

Inspired by Derik Bailey's Backbone.Computed, Backbone.ComputedFields aims the same idea, 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;
        }
    }
}

Each property that declares get or set method is treaded 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 correspoding 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 recieves the fields object, with same names of properties as model attributes. If set function changes the value of property, the change is propogated 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 }.

##Silent updates

Sometimes, it's required to be able to work with computed fields even if model is not 'yet' in valid state. As examples, we might have a product that requires name to be filled, but in the same time be able to change net or gross price. Since Backbone.ComputedFields internally uses Backbone.Model.set function, it would prevent to change the model state is it's in invalid state.

To make this happen, just add silent property to computed field.

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);
        },
        silent: true
    }
}

silent: true should be usually used if Backbone.ComputedFields is used toghether with model binders.

##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 occured.

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
    }
}

##More details

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

Versions / Changes

v.0.0.3 12 December, 2012

• Breaking change: computed fields are wrapped in computed object.
• Dependency on external object

v.0.0.2 11 December, 2012

• Silent fields implemented
• Several bug fixes

v.0.0.1 18 November, 2012

• Initial version: basic functions, events

Legal Info (MIT License)

Copyright (c) 2012 Alexander Beletsky

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.