Javascript 'new' with function returning self
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In your particular instance, No, there is no difference.
Eitherw way, your function will return a self defined Object. By invoking a function with the new keyword, ECMAscript will automatically create a new object for you (alongside doing some magic with prototype and constructor properties), which you might access / write to via this within the function (-constructor) .
Again, your return { } call in that function, will always return exactly that object reference.