pThis

pThis is a term used in programming discussions to denote a parameter that carries a reference to the current object or execution context, analogous to the this keyword in many object-oriented languages. The term is not tied to a single language standard; it appears in tutorials, blog posts, and code examples as a convention to discuss binding and context-passing patterns.

Concept and usage: In patterns that rely on explicit state passing, functions receive pThis as their first argument to operate on the receiver object without relying on implicit this binding. This can improve clarity, support for higher-order functions, and easier testing because a function’s behavior depends on its parameters. pThis is particularly useful in languages where this binding is inconsistent across calls or where functions are detached from their original objects.

Example:

function updateName(pThis, name) {

pThis.name = name;

}

let user = { name: 'Ana' };

updateName(user, 'Bea');

Limitations: Some developers view pThis as verbose and error-prone, and it can duplicate semantics that languages provide through lexical this, closures, or explicit binding mechanisms. It also requires discipline to pass pThis consistently and can reduce readability if overused. Proponents argue it clarifies dependencies and enhances testability, especially in higher-order or callback-heavy code.

See also: This (programming), This binding, Function binding, Context passing, Higher-order functions.