Law of Demeter (Don't Talk to Strangers)

Overview

Only talk to your immediate friends, not strangers.

A method should only call methods on: itself, its parameters, objects it creates, or its direct components. Never reach through an object to access another object's internals.

When to Use

• Accessing nested properties: obj.a.b.c
• Chaining method calls: obj.getA().getB().getC()
• Reaching through objects for data
• Long dot chains in your code

The Iron Rule

NEVER chain through objects. Ask, don't reach.

No exceptions:

• Not for "it's simpler"
• Not for "it's just one chain"
• Not for "the data is there"
• Not for "fewer lines of code"

Detection: The Chain Smell

If you see multiple dots, you're violating LoD:

// ❌ VIOLATION: Reaching through objects
function getEmployeeCity(company: Company, employeeId: string): string {
  return company.employees
    .find(e => e.id === employeeId)
    ?.address.city;  // Reaching into employee, then into address
}

// More violations:
user.getProfile().getAddress().getZipCode();
order.getCustomer().getPaymentMethod().getLast4();

The Correct Pattern: Ask, Don't Reach

Let objects expose what's needed:

// ✅ CORRECT: Ask the object directly
class Employee {
  constructor(
    private name: string,
    private address: Address
  ) {}
  
  getCity(): string {
    return this.address.city;  // Employee asks its own address
  }
}

class Company {
  getEmployeeCities(): Map<string, string> {
    return new Map(
      this.employees.map(e => [e.id, e.getCity()])
    );
  }
  
  getEmployeeCity(employeeId: string): string | undefined {
    return this.employees.find(e => e.id === employeeId)?.getCity();
  }
}

// Usage: Ask company, don't reach through it
const city = company.getEmployeeCity(employeeId);

Why Chains Are Bad

Allowed Method Calls

A method m of class C should only call methods on:

1. this - C's own methods
2. Parameters - Objects passed to m
3. Created objects - Objects m creates
4. Components - C's direct instance variables
5. Globals - Accessible global objects (sparingly)

class OrderProcessor {
  constructor(private logger: Logger) {}  // Component

  process(order: Order): Receipt {         // Parameter
    this.validate(order);                  // this
    const receipt = new Receipt(order);    // Created
    this.logger.log('Processed');          // Component
    return receipt;
  }

  // ❌ NOT ALLOWED: order.customer.address.city
  // ✅ ALLOWED: order.getShippingCity()
}

Pressure Resistance Protocol

1. "It's Simpler"

Pressure: "One line with dots is simpler than adding methods"

Response: Simple to write ≠ simple to maintain. Chains create fragile code.

Action: Add methods that expose needed data.

2. "It's Just One Chain"

Pressure: "It's only two dots, not a big deal"

Response: Two dots = two objects you're coupled to. Both can change and break you.

Action: Even short chains should be eliminated.

3. "The Data Is Right There"

Pressure: "The structure has the data, why wrap it?"

Response: Structure changes. Wrapping isolates you from changes.

Action: Ask the owner for the data.

4. "It's Read-Only"

Pressure: "I'm just reading, not modifying"

Response: Reading through chains still couples you to structure.

Action: Ask for what you need.

Red Flags - STOP and Reconsider

If you notice ANY of these, refactor:

• Multiple dots: a.b.c.d
• Chained getters: getA().getB().getC()
• Optional chains: a?.b?.c?.d
• Null checks for nested access
• Structure knowledge in calling code
• Mocking chains in tests

All of these mean: Add a method to ask directly.

Refactoring Chains

// ❌ BEFORE: Chain
const zip = user.getProfile().getAddress().getZipCode();

// ✅ AFTER: Ask
// In User class:
getZipCode(): string {
  return this.profile.getZipCode();
}

// In Profile class:
getZipCode(): string {
  return this.address.zipCode;
}

// Usage:
const zip = user.getZipCode();

Quick Reference

Common Rationalizations (All Invalid)

The Bottom Line

Ask objects for what you need. Don't reach through them.

When you need data from nested objects: add a method on the owner that returns it. Never chain through multiple objects. Each dot is a dependency you're taking on.