[kangax]

Exactly. Once you understand underlying concept, `this` is not complicated or weird.

Small addendum to your list: "whatever is left of the dot at call-time" is a nice way to explain "base reference" concept, but be wary of non-trivial constructs:

    (f = thing.someFunction)(); // this references global object
    (function(){return thing.someFunction }())(); // this references global object
    eval('thing.someFunction')(); // this references global object

[hrktb]

I agree it's a simple concept.

But it's one of the weirdest thing in javascript, and I'd advise to forgo using 'this' in any situation that doesn't absolutely need it.

[ulisesrmzroche]

So basically most open source JS code out there is completely wrong?

[hrktb]

I don't think a project is "wrong" if it is working. Also these a just opinions, but I think it's counterproductive.

I feel it's the same as class systems with inheritance and lots of OO properties implemented. It's not wrong, but it's so much overhead, so easy to shoot one's foot, for so few returns. And there's a class syntax coming to ES6, so I'm clearly in the minority.

For a discussion on the "this" use, there is an interesting talk[0] by D.Crockford on the subject, at about 8 min in (but I'd watch the whole thing). I don't agree with everything he is advising, but I think he has pretty compelling arguments overall.

There's a lot of things in js that are not necessary to write good code, and avoiding them can reduce a lot of the complexity IMO. Some people are OK with complexity and want expressivity, I'd prefer basic and predictable easily behaviours.

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSGEjv3Tqo0&noredirect=1

[xanderjanz]

Suboptimal might be a better word. And it should be no surprise that most open source anything is suboptimal.