backbone.js - Creating nested models with backboneJS + backbone-relational + requireJS

Question

I am new to BackboneJS and I am stuck with nested relations using Backbone-relational Model with RequireJS -I think I runned into circular issues. Any help will be highly appreciated!

I have the following model and collection:

 /* Module Model at models/module*/
define([
'jquery', 
'underscore', 
'backbone',
'backboneRelational',
], function($, _, Backbone) {

    var ModuleModel = Backbone.RelationalModel.extend({

        urlRoot: 'api/module',
        _radius: 50,
        relations: [{
            type: Backbone.HasMany,
            key: 'children',
            relatedModel: 'ModuleModel',
            collectionType: 'ModuleCollection',
            reverseRelation: {
                key: 'parent_id',
                includeInJSON: 'id' 
            }
        }],
        url: function() {
            return this.id? 'api/module/' + this.id : 'api/module';
        }
    });
    return ModuleModel;
});

/* Module Collection */
define([
'jquery',
'underscore', 
'backbone', 
'models/module'
], function($, _, Backbone, ModuleModel) {

    var ModuleCollection = Backbone.Collection.extend({

        model: ModuleModel,
        url: 'api/modules'
    });

    return ModuleCollection;
});

When I initialize the object ModuleModel, it throws the following error:

Relation=child; no model, key or relatedModel (function (){ parent.apply(this, arguments); }, "children", undefined)

Could you point me to the right direction?

Answer 1

This looks like a scoping issue. During initialization of ModuleModel it wants to create a hasMany relation with itself, but it can't find itself and it will give you grief in form of said error:

http://jsfiddle.net/yNLbq

Once the object is reachable from the current scope things start to work out:

http://jsfiddle.net/jDw5e

A possible solution would be to give models and collection a namespace for themselves which can be reached from the current scope.

Hope this helps.