How does the 'prototype' object have access to the newly created object for 'this'?

Question

var Person = function() {
    this.name = "Jay";
}

Person.prototype.getName = function() {
    return this.name;
}

var jay = new Person();
console.log(jay.getName()); // Jay
console.log(Person.prototype); // { getName: [Function] }

When I call new Person() I think it sets jay's internal [[prototype]] property as Person.prototype object. So I understand that when I try to access a property that doesn't exist like getName it will check the object's [[prototype]] which is Person.prototype for getName. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

What I'm confused about is how the Person.prototype object is able to access jay from this ? From what I understand this refers to the object invoking the method, which is Person.prototype not jay , and this object doesn't hold name property.

Answer 1

You're confusing "the place where the method is defined" with "the object performing the method." It is defined on Person.prototype, but the method is invoked on that particular object.