Why can't I set a JavaScript prototype inside a function? -

Why can't I set a JavaScript prototype inside a function? -

why can't set prototype within of function? illustration why not work?

var bar = function(){ this.name='bar' } var barproto = new bar() var foo = function(){ this.prototype= barproto } var foo = new foo() console.log(foo.name) // undefined

but work:

var bar = function(){ this.name='bar' } var barproto = new bar() var foo = function(){ } foo.prototype= barproto var foo = new foo() console.log(foo.name) // bar

i don't syntax of assigning prototype after have created function.

this.prototype= barproto

is not equivalent

foo.prototype= barproto

this refers specific object created new foo()

foo constructor function. set prototype on constructor, not on specific instance.

more info on prototypical inheritance here: mozilla docs

javascript prototype