title: What does return this in Function.prototype.method do?
body: <p>I just started reading JavaScript: The Good Parts and I'm already confused by what 'return this' does in Function.prototype.method? I understand how 'this' and 'return' works. 'this' is essentially a pointer for the current object and 'return' simply exits the function while outputting a value if you described any; in our case, 'this'.</p>
  
  <p>Here's the code I'm referencing to.</p>
  
  <pre><code>Function.prototype.method = function(name, func) {
      this.prototype[name] = func;
      return this;
  }
  
  /* SIMPLE CONSTRUCTOR */
  function Person(name, age) {
      this.name = name;
      this.age = age;
  }
  
  /* ADD METHODS */
  Person.method('getName', function() { return this.name; });
  Person.method('getAge', function() { return this.age; });
  
  var rclark = new Person('Ryan Clark', 22);
  
  console.log(rclark.getName()); // string(Ryan Clark)
  console.log(rclark.getAge()); // number(22)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I tried omitting 'return this' to see if the code would break but it doesn't? What exactly does 'return this' do? I'll keep progressing through this book but I want to make sure I'm understanding everything. Any help will be appreciated.</p>