YUI, extjs and similar coding styles

[poizn]

Hi all.
Looking around the net lately, it seems that more and javascript is being written in the same style as the YUI, extjs and openwysiwyg style. Example below

var test = {
  a_func: function() {
    blah blah
  }
}

What are the benefits to coding this way?
From what it looks like to me, it simulates a class, is that correct?
So how exactly does it all work?
How do you create private / public variables?
Are there any sights out there that explain how this style of coding works?

Thanks in advance

[RIAguy]

This is basically JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) style notation. The major advantage is that it allows you to build very complex objects and namespace with a relatively small amount of script.

A side advantage is that the script tends to become more readable to people who are used to working in curly-bracket style object oriented languages like C#, Java or C++.

If you work with very large blocks of JavaScript (as I do), you'll find that the code become somewhat easier to manage when you look at it. It's neater when you get used to it.

[poizn]

Cool thanks for the reply. Seems replies on this topic are a bit scarce...
Do you have any good reference sites. Iv had a look on the net, but so far have found really bad sites.

Thanks a lot for the reply though, has helped a bit

[RIAguy]

Here's one i came across, which seems to be OK.

I don't have any great references. I've been programming JavaScript for about 10 years now, so I don't use them much.

mckoss.com/jscript/object.htm

[poizn]

Thanks man looks pretty good.