Keyword

# Self

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

## Description

<span class="title-ref">Self</span> is a reference to a current main class.

<div class="note">

<div class="title">

Note

</div>

Self is not available within a `Module</api/language/module>`.

</div>

## Usage

``` xojo
Self.MemberName
```

## Notes

When you refer to a property or method in your code without any sort of prefix, the one on the class itself (<span class="title-ref">Self</span>) is used by default.

For example, for any code contained on a window or web page, <span class="title-ref">Self</span> refers to the window or web page.

However, within an event handler of a control, you may need to access a method or property of the control. For these cases you use the `Me</api/language/me>` method.

The distinction is important.

For example, say you want to move a button by changing its Left property. In the opening event handler for the button, the most obvious thing to write is this code:

``` xojo
Left = 100
```

But that does not do what you expect. Because there is no prefix, <span class="title-ref">Self</span> is implied. And <span class="title-ref">Self</span> refers to the window or web page. So the above code actually means this:

``` xojo
Self.Left = 100
```

Which sets the Left property of the window or web page and *not* the property of the button.

One way to get Left property of the button is to use the button name as the prefix like this:

``` xojo
Button1.Left = 100
```

This works, but it forces you to use the name of the Button to refer to the property. If you rename the button, then you will get a compile error. It also makes it more difficult to reuse the code on another button that might have a different name.

Instead, you should use the `Me</api/language/me>` method:

``` xojo
Me.Left = 100
```

Because Me is used within an event handler for a control (the button in this case), it refers to the control. It is not affected should the name of the button changes and you can move this code to another button and it will work as is.

<div class="note">

<div class="title">

Note

</div>

When Me is used outside of a control event handler, it works the same as <span class="title-ref">Self</span>. But for clarity, you should limit your use of Me to only within event handlers.

</div>

## Compatibility

|                       |     |
|-----------------------|-----|
| **Project Types**     | All |
| **Operating Systems** | All |

<div class="seealso">

`Me</api/language/me>` method; `Me vs. Self</getting_started/object-oriented_programming/me_vs._self>` topic

</div>