thisObjekt

thisObjekt is a term used in software design to denote a contextual wrapper around the current object instance. It is described as a pattern rather than a language construct, and it appears in some German-language programming writings and community discussions as a way to package an object's reference with additional context.

Definition and purpose: The core idea is to provide a single value that carries the original object along with metadata or auxiliary data needed by APIs, handlers, or frameworks. thisObjekt can be used to simplify function signatures, improve traceability, and support cross-cutting concerns such as logging or authorization without altering the object itself.

Common structure: A thisObjekt typically contains a reference to the original object and a metadata block. Example fields may include ref, type, id, timestamp, and a small set of helper properties or methods for accessing context. It is usually created at the boundary of a layer, such as in a controller or event handler, and passed through the call chain.

Implementation notes: Because thisObjekt is a pattern rather than a built-in feature, its exact form depends on the language and project. In pseudocode: thisObjekt = { ref: this, meta: { id: generateId(), ts: currentTime() } } and APIs consume thisObjekt to obtain both the object and its context, while delegating behavior to the contained reference as needed.

Reception and criticism: Proponents cite clearer interfaces and easier tracing, while critics warn of added indirection, potential performance overhead, and the risk of duplicating context rather than centralizing it elsewhere. Its use is therefore typically domain- and framework-specific.

See also: context object, this keyword, wrapper object, middleware pattern.