super

The super keyword is used to call functions on an object's parent.

The super.prop and super[expr] expressions are valid in any method definition in both classes and object literals.

Syntax

super([arguments]); // calls the parent constructor.
super.functionOnParent([arguments]);

Description

When used in a constructor, the super keyword appears alone and must be used before the this keyword can be used. This keyword can also be used to call to call functions on a parent object.

Example

This code snippet is taken from the classes sample (live demo).

class Square extends Polygon {
  constructor(length) {
    // Here, it calls the parent class' constructor with lengths
    // provided for the Polygon's width and height
    super(length, length);
    // Note: In derived classes, super() must be called before you
    // can use 'this'. Leaving this out will cause a reference error.
    this.name = 'Square';
  }

  get area() {
    return this.height * this.width;
  }

  set area(value) {
    this.area = value;
  } 
}

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Classes