Simple default values for KnockoutJS ViewModels

gistfile1.js

// Knockout, it's just javascript folks.

var Foo = function(data) {
  var that = this;

  /*
   * ========
   * Map Data
   * ========
   */

  // Default Data - If data doesn't exist, let's create an empty object
  if (_.isUndefined(data)) data = {};
  
  // Use Lodash (or Underscore) to provide a set of sane default values
  data = _.defaults(data, {
    bar: {},
    baz: false,
    qux: null
  });

  // Map Data using ko.mapping plugin
  // Note: Optionally provide a mapping of course
  ko.mapping.fromJS(data);

};

// Only provide certain values, and the rest are defaulted.
var viewModel = new Foo({
  baz: true
});