Benchmark Overview: Object.create vs proto

The benchmark compares two approaches for creating objects in JavaScript: using the Object.create() method and using the __proto__ property. Both methods are related to how objects inherit properties from a prototype, which is an essential concept in JavaScript.

Options Compared

1. Object.create()

   • Benchmark Definition:

     let a = Object.create(prototype);
     let b = Object.create(null);
     

   • Description: This method creates a new object with a specified prototype (in this case, prototype). The second argument is optional and allows specifying properties on the newly created object. Here, b is created without any prototype, meaning it won't inherit any properties.

2. proto literal

   • Benchmark Definition:

     let a = {__proto__: prototype};
     let b = {__proto__: null};
     

   • Description: This creates objects using an object literal syntax, explicitly setting the prototype using the __proto__ property. Similar to the previous example, b is created with no prototype.

Pros/Cons of Each Approach

Object.create()

• Pros:

  • Clarity: The intention to set a prototype is explicit, making it clear that you are creating an object based on a specific prototype.
  • Prototype Inheritance: It can also be used to create objects that do not have an inherited structure (by using Object.create(null)), which is useful in certain contexts (e.g., creating dictionaries where no prototype properties are unwanted).

• Cons:

  • Syntax Verbosity: It may feel verbose for simple object creation compared to using an object literal.
  • Older Syntax: Some older environments may not support it, although it's widely supported in modern browsers.

proto literal

• Pros:

  • Simplicity: It allows for quick inline object creation and may feel more natural to those familiar with object literals.
  • Direct Access: Setting __proto__ directly can make it easier to understand how the prototype chain is structured while writing code.

• Cons:

  • Performance: It is generally less performant than Object.create() and can lead to unexpected issues due to its dynamic nature.
  • Best Practices: Using __proto__ is often discouraged in favor of other methods (like Object.create() or class inheritance) because directly manipulating the prototype can create hidden bugs and make code harder to maintain.

Other Considerations

• Performance Results: The benchmark results show that the Object.create method had a higher rate of executions per second (19,829,084) compared to using the __proto__ literal (8,429,979). This indicates that Object.create() is generally more efficient in this particular test case.

• Compatibility and Standardization: The Object.create() method is part of the ECMAScript 5 standard, while __proto__ is considered a non-standard feature introduced by JavaScript engines and is not recommended for use in production code.

Alternatives

• Object literal syntax without prototype: Using {} for creating objects without specifying prototypes.

• Class Syntax: In ES6, the class syntax can be utilized, which is a more modern approach to creating object instances along with inherited behavior.

  class MyClass extends SomeBaseClass {
      constructor() {
          super();
      }
  }
  

• Factory functions: Functions that return new object instances, providing a more functional approach to object creation.

  function createObject() {
      return Object.create(prototype);
  }
  

Each of these alternatives has its use cases and can be chosen based on specific needs for maintainability, readability, and performance.