Search code examples
javascriptnode.jseventemitter

Node.js EventEmitter `on` event is not responding to `emit` actions


I have a Node.js app that represents a class room. I'm using Node version 11.11.0. This app has two files: index.js and student.js. The relevant code looks like this:

index.js

const EventEmitter = require('events');
const Student = require('./student');

async function start() {
  eventEmitter.on('newListener', (event, listener) => {
     console.log(`Added ${event} listener.`);
  });

  eventEmitter.on('handRaised', (question) => {
    console.log(question);
  });

  for (let i=0; i<10; i++) {
    let student = new Student(`Student #${i+1}`);
    student.attend();
  }
}

start();

student.js

'use strict';

const EventEmitter = require('events');

class Student {
  constructor(name) {
    this.name = name;
  }

  attend() {
    // simulate a student randomly asking a question within 10 minutes
    let minutes = (Math.floor(Math.random() * 10) + 1) * 60000;
    setTimeout(function() {
      EventEmitter.emit('handRaised', 'What is the 2 + 3?');
    }, minutes);
  }
}

module.exports = Student;

When I run this, I get an error that says EventEmitter.emit is not a function. I've tried several variations without any luck. What am I doing wrong?


Solution

  • The answer given by @Bhojendra Rauniyar is correct, imho, but is missing a working example which is given below. Note, a subtle, but important change I did to define the callback function for setTimeout() in student.js: I am using the arrow function () => which binds this of the student instance to the callback function. This is required to call the instance variable from the callback function. Alternatively function () { ... }.bind(this) can be used.

    index.js

    const EventEmitter = require('events');
    const Student = require('./student');
    const eventEmitter = new EventEmitter();
    
    async function start() {
      eventEmitter.on('newListener', (event, listener) => {
        console.log(`Added ${event} listener.`);
    });
    
      eventEmitter.on('handRaised', (question) => {
        console.log(question);
    });
    
      for (let i=0; i<10; i++) {
        let student = new Student(`Student #${i+1}`, eventEmitter);
        student.attend();
      }
    }
    
    start();
    

    student.js

    'use strict';
    
    class Student {
      constructor(name, eventEmitter) {
        this.name = name;
        this.eventEmitter = eventEmitter;
      }
    
      attend() {
        // simulate a student randomly asking a question within 10 minutes
        let minutes = (Math.floor(Math.random() * 10) + 1) * 60000;
        setTimeout(() => {
          this.eventEmitter.emit('handRaised', 'What is the 2 + 3?');
      }, minutes);
      }
    }
    
    module.exports = Student;