title: Confusing JavaScript statement: "var x = new this();"
body: <p>I thought I understood the concept of the JavaScript prototype object, as well as [[proto]] until I saw a few posts regarding class inheritance.</p>
  
  <p>Firstly, "JavaScript OOP - the smart way" at <a href="http://amix.dk/blog/viewEntry/19038" rel="noreferrer">http://amix.dk/blog/viewEntry/19038</a></p>
  
  <p>See the implementation section:</p>
  
  <pre><code>var parent = new this('no_init');
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>And also "Simple JavaScript Inheritance" on John Resig's great blog.</p>
  
  <pre><code>var prototype = new this();
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>What does <code>new this();</code> actually mean?  </p>
  
  <p>This statement makes no sense to me because my understand has been that <code>this</code> points to an object and not a constructor function.  I've also tried testing statements in Firebug to figure this one out and all I receive is syntax errors.</p>
  
  <p>My head has gone off into a complete spin.</p>
  
  <p>Could someone please explain this in detail?</p>