Node js : Best way to define entity class - node.js

Question

I am writing one tool in node js. I wanted to define some POJO in node js. I don't have much experience in Node js. I came from JAVA background where classes are used for defining entities. One way, in which I have define entities now are:-
function Person(name) {
this.name = name;
this.values = [];
this.characteristics = {};
}
But this is defined in one JS file. And to make it available in other JS files, I have to export this function. Is this the best way to define entities or are there any other way in which I can define something of class kind of format?

Answer 1

That is just fine for creating objects. If you start to use a DB like mongo, you might be better off creating objects with mongoose but that's personal preference as well. As for your example -
1) Export Person
module.exports = Person;
2) Import Person from another file
const Person = require('../path/to/Person');
3) Create Person with the new keyword to call the constructor (very important)
const mitch = new Person('Mitch');
You should read up on javascript's prototype. Every object has a reference to Object.prototype. Then you can create objects with Object.create(obj) to create objects and assign the new object's prototype as the reference being passed in to Object.create(obj)
Here's an example from MDN
// Shape - superclass
function Shape() {
this.x = 0;
this.y = 0;
}
// superclass method
Shape.prototype.move = function(x, y) {
this.x += x;
this.y += y;
console.info('Shape moved.');
};
// Rectangle - subclass
function Rectangle() {
Shape.call(this); // call super constructor.
}
// subclass extends superclass
Rectangle.prototype = Object.create(Shape.prototype);
Rectangle.prototype.constructor = Rectangle;
var rect = new Rectangle();
console.log('Is rect an instance of Rectangle?',
rect instanceof Rectangle); // true
console.log('Is rect an instance of Shape?',
rect instanceof Shape); // true
rect.move(1, 1); // Outputs, 'Shape moved.'