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Methods to Search Arrays in JavaScript

Methods to Search Arrays in JavaScript
Hostman Team
Technical writer
JavaScript
27.11.2023
Reading time: 6 min

Searching in an array is not a difficult task for a programmer. One immediately thinks of searching through a for loop or binary search in a sorted array with "greater than" and "less than" operations defined for its elements. But like any high-level programming language, JavaScript offers the developer built-in functions to solve various problems. In this article, we'll look at four JavaScript array search methods: find, includes, indexOf, and filter.

indexOf

indexOf is a function to search for an element in an array. This method searches for the object and returns its index or -1 if it does not find a matching one.

Syntax

Array.indexOf (search element, starting index)

Where:

  • Array is our array

  • search element is the element we are searching for;

  • starting index is the index from which we start the search. This argument is optional. By default, the function starts at index 0, i.e., the method checks the whole Array. If the starting index is greater than or equal to Array.length, the method immediately returns -1 and terminates. 

If the starting index is negative, JS treats it as an offset from the end of the array: if the starting index = -1, only the last element will be checked; if -2, then the last two, etc. 

Practice

Let's try the method in practice. Let's run this code and check the results:

let ExampleArray = [1,2,3,1,'5', null, false, NaN,3];

console.log("Position of 1", ExampleArray.indexOf(1) );
console.log("Position of the next 1", ExampleArray.indexOf(1,2) );
console.log("Position of 3", ExampleArray.indexOf(3) );
console.log("Position of 3 if starting index is negative", ExampleArray.indexOf(3,-2) );
console.log("Position of false", ExampleArray.indexOf(false) );
console.log("Position of 5", ExampleArray.indexOf("5") ); 
console.log("Position of NaN", ExampleArray.indexOf(NaN));

As a result of this code's operation, we obtained the following output: 

Position of 1 0
Position of the next 1 3
Position of 3 2
Position of 3 if starting index is negative 8
Position of false 6
Position of 5 -1
Position of NaN -1

indexOf searches for an element in the array from left to right and stops at the first matching element. This is clearly shown in the example with 1. To go from right to left, use the LastIndexOf method with a similar syntax.

Strict comparison (===) is used to compare the object we're searching for and the next object. When using strict comparison for different data types but with the same value, for example 5, '5' and "5" JavaScript gives a negative result, so IndexOf did not find 5

It's also worth remembering that indexOf does not handle NaN correctly. So, you need to use other methods to work with this value.

includes

includes does not exactly search for a given element in the array, but checks if it is there at all. It works in the same way as indexOf. includes returns True if it found the searched item and False if it didn't. Unlike indexOf, includes handles NaN correctly.

Syntax

Array.includes (search element, starting index)

Where: 

  • Array is our array

  • search element is the element we are searching for

  • starting index is the index from which we start searching. It's an optional argument; by default, the function starts at index 0, i.e., the method checks the whole Array. If the starting index is greater than or equal to Array.length, the method immediately returns False and terminates.  

If the starting index is negative, JS treats it as an offset from the end of the array: if the starting index = -1 only the last element will be checked; if -2 , then the last two elements will be checked, etc.

Practice

Let's slightly modify the code from the previous example and run it:

let Example = [1,2,3,1,'5', null, false,NaN, 3];

console.log("Presence of 1", Example.includes(1) );
console.log("Availability of the next 1", Example.includes(1,2) );
console.log("Presence of 3", Example.includes(3) );
console.log("Presence of 3 if starting index is negative", Example.includes(3,-1) );
console.log("Presence of false", Example.includes(false) );
console.log("Presence of 5", Example.includes(5) ); 
console.log("Presence of NaN", Example.includes(NaN) ));

Output:

Presence of 1 true
Presence of the next 1 true
Presence of 3 true
Presence of 3 if the starting index is negative true
Presence of false true
Presence of 5 false
Presence of NaN true

There is no alternative function that searches the JS array from right to left, which is not really necessary.

find

Suppose we need to find an object in an array. But we want to find it not by its value, but by its property. For example, we want to find a number in an array with a value between 15 and 20. As before, we can use a for loop, but it's not very convenient. To search with a specific condition, JavaScript has a find method.

Syntax

Array.find(function(...){
//if the item matches the condition (true), the function returns it and terminates;
//if nothing is found, it returns undefined
})

 Here:

  • Array is our array

  • function(...) is a function that sets the conditions.

Practice

As in the past examples, let's try out the method:

let ExampleArray = ["Hostman", 55555, "Cloud", "server provider", "guide"];
console.log(ExampleArray.find(element => element.length == 5))

Output:

Cloud

In this example, we searched for strings with a length of 5 characters. For numeric data types, the length is undefined, so 55555 is not appropriate. Find finds the first element and returns it, so guide was also not included in the result of our function. To find several elements that match a condition, we need to use the filter method.

Also, we should not forget about the findIndex method. It returns the index of the matching element. Or -1 if there is none. Otherwise, it works the same way as find.

filter

find searches for and returns the first element that matches the search conditions. In order to find all such elements, you need to use the filter method. The result of this function is an array (if nothing is found, it will be empty).

Syntax

Array.find(function(...){
//if the element matches the conditions (true), then add it to the final result and continue the search;
})

 Here:

  • Array is our array

  • function(...) is the function that sets the conditions.

Practice

Let's imagine the following task: we have a list of cuboids (rectangular parallelepipeds) with the lengths of their edges, and we need to output all cuboids with a certain volume. Let's write the code that realizes the solution of this task:

let ExampleArray = [
  [10, 15, 8],
  [11, 12, 6],
  [5, 20, 1],
  [10, 10, 2],
  [16,2, 4]
  ];

console.log(ExampleArray.filter(element=> element[0]*element[1]*element[2]>300)))

Output:

[ [ 10, 15, 8 ],
[ 11, 12, 6 ] ]

In this example, we found rectangular parallelepipeds with a volume greater than 300. In general, the filter method in JS allows you to implement all kinds of search conditions. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have learned about search methods in JavaScript and how to use them. All the above methods are universal tools for developers. But, like any universal tools, they are not always the most productive. For example, binary search will be much more efficient than find and filter.

JavaScript
27.11.2023
Reading time: 6 min

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How to Use JavaScript Array map()

Arrays play a crucial role in JavaScript programming. They let you store and manipulate collections of data with ease. One powerful method for working with arrays is the map() function. The map() method creates a new array by applying a given function to each element of the original array. Simply put, map() takes your array, processes each item through a function you provide, and returns a new array with the transformed items. It doesn't change the original array, which helps prevent unintended side effects in your code.  In this guide, we'll explore the map() function, how it works, and how you can use it in your JavaScript projects. Basic Syntax and Parameters of map() The map() function is a built-in method in JavaScript that you can use on arrays. It creates a new array by applying a function to each element of the original array. Below is the syntax: let newArray = originalArray.map(function(currentValue, index, array) { // return element to newArray }); Or, using arrow function syntax: let newArray = originalArray.map((currentValue, index, array) => { // return element to newArray }); Let's break down the parameters: currentValue: The current element being processed in the array. index (optional): The index of the current element. array (optional): The original array to which map() is being applied. However, you must provide a callback function that tells map() how to transform each element. This function runs once for every item in the array. Importantly, map() does not modify the original array; instead, it returns a new array with the transformed elements. For example, if you have an array of numbers and want to add 1 to each number, you can use map() like this: let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; let incrementedNumbers = numbers.map(number => number + 1); console.log(incrementedNumbers); Output: [ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ] In this example, the map() function takes each number in the numbers array, adds 1 to it, and returns a new array called incrementedNumbers. Using map() to Transform Array Elements The map() method is helpful when you need to transform each element in an array. It applies a function to every item and returns a new array with the transformed elements. Let's explore how you can use map() to manipulate array data. Let’s say you have an array of numbers, and want to double each number. Instead of writing a loop, you can achieve this with map() in a more concise way. let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; let doubled = numbers.map(number => number * 2); console.log(doubled); Output: [ 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ] In this example, numbers.map(number => number * 2) takes each element in the numbers array, multiplies it by two, and stores the result in a new array called doubled. The original numbers array remains unchanged. You can also transform arrays of strings. Let's say you have an array of names and you want to convert them all to uppercase letters. let names = ['alice', 'bob', 'charlie']; let upperNames = names.map(name => name.toUpperCase()); console.log(upperNames); Output: [ 'ALICE', 'BOB', 'CHARLIE' ] Here, map() applies the toUpperCase() method to each string in the names array, resulting in a new array upperNames with all names in uppercase. Another practical use is when working with arrays of objects. For example, you might have an array of user objects and want to extract a specific property from each one. let users = [ { name: 'Alice', age: 25 }, { name: 'Bob', age: 30 }, { name: 'Charlie', age: 35 } ]; let userNames = users.map(user => user.name); console.log(userNames); Output: [ 'Alice', 'Bob', 'Charlie' ] In this case, map() extracts the name property from each user object and creates a new array userNames. Practical Examples of map() The map() function really shines when working with real-world data. Let's see some practical examples to see how map() can simplify your JavaScript code. Example 1: Converting Temperatures Let’s assume you have an array of temperatures in Celsius and want to convert them to Fahrenheit. You can use map() to apply the conversion formula to each element. let celsius = [0, 20, 30, 40]; let fahrenheit = celsius.map(temp => temp * 9/5 + 32); console.log(fahrenheit); Output: [ 32, 68, 86, 104 ] In this example, map() takes each temperature in the celsius array, converts it to Fahrenheit, and returns a new array called fahrenheit. Example 2: Extracting Usernames from Emails Imagine you have an array of email addresses and you want to extract the usernames. let emails = ['[email protected]', '[email protected]', '[email protected]'];let usernames = emails.map(email => email.split('@')[0]);console.log(usernames); Output: [ 'alice', 'bob', 'charlie' ] Here, map() processes each email address, splits it at the @ symbol, and extracts the username part. Example 3: Applying Discounts to Products If you have an array of product objects and need to apply a discount to each product's price, map() makes this task easy. let products = [ { name: 'Laptop', price: 1000 }, { name: 'Phone', price: 500 }, { name: 'Tablet', price: 750 } ]; let discountedProducts = products.map(product => { return { name: product.name, price: product.price * 0.9 // Apply a 10% discount }; }); console.log(discountedProducts); Output: [ { name: 'Laptop', price: 900 }, { name: 'Phone', price: 450 }, { name: 'Tablet', price: 675 } ] In this case, map() creates a new array discountedProducts with the discounted prices, leaving the original products array unchanged. Example 4: Formatting Dates If you have an array of date strings and want to format them into a more readable form. let dates = ['2023-01-01', '2023-02-14', '2023-12-25']; let formattedDates = dates.map(date => { let options = { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' }; return new Date(date).toLocaleDateString(undefined, options); }); console.log(formattedDates); Output: [ 'January 1, 2023', 'February 14, 2023', 'December 25, 2023' ] Here, map() converts each date string into a Date object and formats it using toLocaleDateString(). Example 5: Generating HTML Elements If you're working with the DOM, you can use map() to create an array of HTML elements. let fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'];let fruitListItems = fruits.map(fruit => `<li>${fruit}</li>`);console.log(fruitListItems); Output: [ '<li>apple</li>', '<li>banana</li>', '<li>cherry</li>' ] You can then join these items and insert them into your HTML. let fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']; let fruitListItems = fruits.map(fruit => `<li>${fruit}</li>`); let fruitList = `<ul>${fruitListItems.join('')}</ul>`; console.log(fruitList); Output: <ul><li>apple</li><li>banana</li><li>cherry</li></ul> This demonstrates how map() can help generate dynamic content. Chaining map() with Other Array Methods The map() function becomes even more powerful when you chain it with other array methods like filter(), reduce(), or sort(). You can perform complex data transformations easily when you combine these methods. Filtering and Mapping Let’s say you have an array of numbers and you want to double only the even numbers. let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]; let doubledEvens = numbers .filter(number => number % 2 === 0) .map(number => number * 2); console.log(doubledEvens); Output: [ 4, 8, 12 ] In this example, filter() first selects the even numbers from the numbers array. Then, map() doubles each of those numbers. Mapping and Reducing Imagine you have an array of objects representing products and want to calculate the total price of all products after applying a discount. let products = [ { name: 'Laptop', price: 1000 }, { name: 'Phone', price: 500 }, { name: 'Tablet', price: 750 } ]; let totalDiscountedPrice = products .map(product => product.price * 0.9) // Apply a 10% discount .reduce((total, price) => total + price, 0); console.log(totalDiscountedPrice); Output: 2025 Here, map() creates a new array with the discounted prices. Then, reduce() sums up the prices to get the total. Sorting Mapped Values Imagine you have an array of strings and want to convert them to uppercase and then sort them alphabetically. let fruits = ['banana', 'apple', 'cherry']; let sortedFruits = fruits .map(fruit => fruit.toUpperCase()) .sort(); console.log(sortedFruits); Output: [ 'APPLE', 'BANANA', 'CHERRY' ] In this case, map() transforms each fruit name to uppercase, and sort() arranges them alphabetically. Complex Data Transformation Let’s assume you have an array of user objects, and you want to get a sorted list of active users' usernames. let users = [ { username: 'alice', active: true }, { username: 'bob', active: false }, { username: 'charlie', active: true } ]; let activeUsernames = users .filter(user => user.active) .map(user => user.username) .sort(); console.log(activeUsernames); Output: [ 'alice', 'charlie' ] Here, you filter out inactive users, extract their usernames with map(), and sort the usernames alphabetically. Handling Edge Cases with map() While the map() function is powerful, handling edge cases is important to prevent unexpected behavior. Let's explore some common scenarios and how to manage them. Dealing with Empty Arrays If you apply map() to an empty array, it simply returns another empty array. There's no need to add extra checks for this case. let emptyArray = [];let result = emptyArray.map(item => item * 2);console.log(result); Output: [ ] Handling Undefined or Null Elements When your array contains undefined or null values, map() will pass them to your callback function. You need to ensure your function can handle these values without throwing errors. let values = [1, null, 3, undefined, 5]; let processedValues = values.map(value => { if (value === null || value === undefined) { return 0; // Assign a default value } return value * 2; }); console.log(processedValues); Output: [ 2, 0, 6, 0, 10 ] In this example, we check for null or undefined and assign a default value of 0 before performing the calculation. Avoiding Holes in Arrays Arrays can have holes if elements are deleted or uninitialized. The map() function skips these holes, which might lead to unexpected results. let sparseArray = [1, , 3, , 5]; // Note the missing elementslet doubled = sparseArray.map(number => number * 2);console.log(doubled); Output: [ 2, <1 empty item>, 6, <1 empty item>, 10 ] To handle this, you can use the Array.from() method to create an array without holes before mapping. let sparseArray = [1, , 3, , 5]; // Note the missing elements let doubled = sparseArray.map(number => number * 2); let denseArray = Array.from(sparseArray); let doubledDense = denseArray.map(number => number * 2); console.log(doubledDense); Output: [ 2, NaN, 6, NaN, 10 ] Now, the missing elements are converted to undefined, and you can handle them accordingly. Managing Asynchronous Operations The map() function doesn't support asynchronous operations natively. 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Each element in the numbers array is doubled, resulting in a new array doubledNumbers. Using Anonymous Functions Anonymous functions can be used directly within map() for simple transformations. let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; let squaredNumbers = numbers.map(function(number) { return number * number; }); console.log(squaredNumbers); Output: [ 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 ] Here, an anonymous function computes the square of each number in the array. Using Arrow Functions Arrow functions offer a concise syntax and are commonly used with map(). let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; let tripledNumbers = numbers.map(number => number * 3); console.log(tripledNumbers); Output: [ 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 ] The arrow function number => number * 3 triples each number in the array. Using Callback Functions with Multiple Parameters The callback function can accept additional parameters like index and array, providing more context during the mapping process. let numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]; let adjustedNumbers = numbers.map((number, index) => number - index * 2); console.log(adjustedNumbers); Output: [ 10, 18, 26, 34, 42 ] In this example, each number is adjusted based on its index in the array. Using thisArg with map() The map() method accepts an optional second argument called thisArg, which sets the value of this inside the callback function. let multiplier = { factor: 2 }; let numbers = [1, 2, 3]; let scaledNumbers = numbers.map(function(number) { return number * this.factor; }, multiplier); console.log(scaledNumbers); Output: [ 2, 4, 6 ] By passing multiplier as the thisArg, the callback function can access this.factor to scale each number. Performance Considerations for map() When using map(), it's important to consider performance. Since map() creates a new array, it consumes additional memory. Therefore, with very large arrays, this extra memory usage can affect your application's efficiency. Furthermore, while map() offers clean and readable code, traditional loops like for or while loops might execute faster in performance-critical situations. If speed is crucial, consider using a loop instead of map(). Moreover, keep your callback functions simple. Complex operations inside the map() callback can slow down processing. To maintain optimal performance, aim for straightforward transformations. Finally, use map() only when you need the new array it returns. If you're performing actions without needing the resulting array, methods like .forEach() are more appropriate. This avoids unnecessary memory allocation and enhances performance. Conclusion The JavaScript map() function is a powerful tool for array manipulation. By applying a function to each element, it creates a new array with transformed values, making tasks like data conversion and extraction straightforward. Understanding how to use map() effectively allows you to write cleaner, more efficient code.
16 October 2024 · 12 min to read
JavaScript

How to Use the Date Object in JavaScript

JavaScript provides a built-in Date object that simplifies working with dates and times. This tutorial will guide developers through the essential aspects of the Date object, including its creation, retrieval of date and time information, formatting, manipulation, and handling of time zones. Introduction to JavaScript Date Object The Date object in JavaScript represents datetime values, enabling developers to manage temporal data with ease. It is essential for tasks such as scheduling, time tracking, and logging. The Date object helps: Represent specific date and time values, such as "2022-07-25T14:30:00.000Z". Perform operations like retrieving, formatting, and manipulating dates and times. Simplify date and time calculations across different time zones. Understanding the basics of the Date object will help in managing time-sensitive data efficiently in web applications. Creating a Date Object Creating a Date object in JavaScript is straightforward. Here are the two common ways to achieve it:  Using the current time Using a timestamp Creating a Date Object for the Current Time The simplest way to create a Date object is by instantiating the current date and time: const currentDate = new Date();console.log(currentDate); This creates an object representing the current date and time in the user's local timezone. Creating a Date Object Using a Timestamp You can also create a Date object from a specific timestamp (milliseconds since January 1, 1970): const timestamp = 1643723400000; const dateObject = new Date(timestamp); console.log(dateObject); This is useful for manipulating dates stored in timestamp format. Now that we know how to create a date object, let’s see how to retrieve date and time information. Retrieving JS Date and Time Information The Date object provides methods for extracting various components of a date, such as a year, month, and hour. Key methods include getDate(): Returns the day of the month. getFullYear(): Returns the four-digit year. getMonth(): Returns the month (0-11, where 0 represents January). getHours(): Returns the hour (0-23). getMinutes(): Returns the minutes (0-59). getSeconds(): Returns the seconds (0-59). For example, to retrieve the current date and format it as MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:ss: function formatDate(dateObject) { const year = dateObject.getFullYear(); const month = dateObject.getMonth() + 1; // Months are zero-indexed const day = dateObject.getDate(); const hours = dateObject.getHours(); const minutes = dateObject.getMinutes(); const seconds = dateObject.getSeconds(); return `${month}/${day}/${year} ${hours}:${minutes}:${seconds}`; } console.log(formatDate(new Date())); Here is the result when executing the function.  There are however interesting methods we can use to format datetime into readable formats.  Formatting Date and Time JavaScript provides methods to format datetime values into human-readable strings. This allows developers to convert a Date object to a string or vice versa. Formatting a Date as a String To output a Date object as a human-readable string, use methods like toDateString() and toTimeString(): const currentDate = new Date(); const dateString = currentDate.toDateString(); console.log(dateString); const timeString = currentDate.toTimeString(); console.log(timeString); Here is the output: Converting Strings to Date Objects Developers can also convert readable strings into Date objects using the Date constructor: const dateFromString = new Date("October 10, 2024");console.log(dateFromString); However, it’s better to use recommended formats.  Recommended Formats To avoid errors when working with date strings, it is advisable to use reliable formats: ISO 8601 Format (Recommended): The safest and most reliable format is the ISO 8601 date format: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.sssZ. If only the date part is provided, it assumes the time as midnight 00:00:00. const date = new Date("2024-10-10T14:48:00Z");console.log(date); RFC2822 Format: Another accepted format is the RFC2822 format commonly used in email headers: Day, DD Mon YYYY HH:mm:ss GMT. const date = new Date("Wed, 10 Oct 2024 14:48:00 GMT");console.log(date); We now know how to format datetime values using the Date object. Let’s see how to manipulate date values for simple scheduling and calculations. Manipulating Date Values Date manipulation is essential for tasks like scheduling and calculating deadlines. JavaScript provides setter methods for modifying specific components of a Date object. Modifying Date Components Developers can modify specific components of a Date object using setter methods. Note that months are zero-indexed: let date = new Date(); date.setFullYear(2025); date.setMonth(5); // Set month to June date.setDate(15); // Set day to 15th date.setHours(10); // Set hour to 10 AM date.setMinutes(30); // Set minutes to 30 date.setSeconds(45); // Set seconds to 45 console.log(date); Adding or Subtracting Days Developers can easily add or subtract days using setDate(): let date = new Date(); date.setDate(date.getDate() + 5); // Add 5 days console.log(date); Date arithmetic can be accomplished using timestamps (milliseconds since January 1, 1970): let now = new Date(); let oneDayInMs = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; let tomorrow = new Date(now.getTime() + oneDayInMs); console.log(tomorrow); Comparing Date Objects Date objects can be compared using their timestamps: let date1 = new Date('2024-10-10'); let date2 = new Date('2024-12-25'); console.log(date1 > date2); // false (October 10 is earlier than December 25) console.log(date1 < date2); // true console.log(date1.getTime() === date2.getTime()); // false Now that we now how to manipulate dates values for calculation, let’s see how we can handle dates with time zones. Working with Time Zones The Date object is timezone-agnostic, meaning it doesn't have a built-in concept of time zones. However, JavaScript’s Date object handles dates in local time (system time zone) and UTC. When creating Date objects, it is essential to be aware of time zone conversions, especially when performing operations across different regions. Local Time vs. UTC JavaScript can work with localtime and UTC. Local time allows you to represent the time by the Date object when created without any specific time zone information, reflecting the local time of the environment in which JavaScript is executed. For example, creating a Date object in Paris will reflect the central European time zone. UTC is the time standard not affected by time zones or DayLight Saving Time (DST). Using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) ensures consistency and avoids ambiguity when working with dates and times across different time zones, simplifying time calculations, logging, and user experience management in applications that serve users in multiple regions. Creating Date Objects in UTC To create a Date object in UTC, use the ISO 8601 format: const utcDate = new Date("2024-10-10T14:30:00Z");console.log(utcDate); Converting Local Time to UTC To retrieve UTC date components, use getUTCDate(), getUTCMonth(), etc.: const localDate = new Date();console.log(localDate.getUTCDate(), localDate.getUTCMonth() + 1, localDate.getUTCFullYear()); Converting UTC to Local Time Similarly, to convert a UTC date to local time, you can use the local equivalent methods: const utcDate = new Date("2024-10-10T14:30:00Z"); // UTC date const localDay = utcDate.getDate(); const localMonth = utcDate.getMonth() + 1; // Months are zero-indexed const localYear = utcDate.getFullYear(); console.log(`Local Date: ${localMonth}/${localDay}/${localYear}`); Being mindful of time zones when working with dates in JavaScript is essential for ensuring accurate datetime representation, especially in applications that require coordination across different regions. Let’s learn more about common Date Object methods. Common Date Object Methods JavaScript provides several static and instance methods that simplify working with dates. Here are some key methods: Date.now(): Returns the current timestamp in milliseconds since January 1, 1970. Date.parse(): Parses a date string and returns the number of milliseconds since the Unix Epoch (January 1, 1970). If the string cannot be parsed, it returns NaN. Date.UTC(): Creates a Date object from UTC values. Date.toString(): Returns a string representation of the Date object in a readable format. valueOf(): Returns the primitive value of the Date object. These methods provide essential functionality for working with dates in JavaScript, enabling developers to efficiently manage and manipulate date values in their applications.  Conclusion The JavaScript Date object is an essential tool for managing datetime in web development. From creating dates to formatting and performing date arithmetic, mastering this object will enable developers to handle time-sensitive data efficiently, regardless of time zone or locale. By using built-in methods and libraries like Moment.js, date-fns, or Day.js, developers can ensure their applications deliver a smooth user experience when working with dates.
15 October 2024 · 8 min to read
JavaScript

How to Parse JSON in JavaScript

Let’s start this article with a simple, approachable, and reader-friendly way to grasp the concept. To begin, let’s discuss what JSON is. A basic JavaScript function called JSON parsing enables programmers to transform JSON strings into functional JavaScript objects. This is made easier with the integrated in JS parsing JSON function. Take the JSON string {"name": "John", "age": 30}, for instance. This string is converted into a JavaScript object with characteristics like name and age using JSON.parse(). This kind of power is especially important when working with external data sources, like APIs. For example, the response.json() method is used to parse the JSON content when retrieving JSON data from a server using the Fetch API. The program can then easily use the parsed data to provide dynamic and engaging user experiences.  JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) The term JSON, JavaScript Object Notation, is a data interchange format particularly used to interchange data between several platforms. JSON is among the best formats that play a significant role in communicating and interchanging data. JS JSON parser is easy for humans to read, write, and understand in a simplified way, and for machines, it is likely easier to generate and parse data. Furthermore, it is an independent programming language that follows a programming approach that is compatible with general programming ideas. As a result, JSON parser in JS is used in JavaScript for storing and conveying data between the server and the client. JSON Syntax Rules Data is required to be in key-value pairs. Data is separated from each other using commas. Curly brackets hold objects. Square brackets hold arrays. Example of JSON For example, consider an object named employee that contains three employee records. This object can be represented in JSON format as follows: { "𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚎𝚜":[ {"𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝙼𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚎", "𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝙲𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚊"}, {"𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚜𝚘𝚗", "𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚜"}, {"𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝙹𝚊𝚜𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚊", "𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝙽𝚒𝚌𝚔"} ] } Syntactically, the code used to create JavaScript objects is identical to that of the JSON format. Therefore, this closeness makes it easy for a JavaScript program to transform JSON data into native JavaScript objects. JSON Data (Name and Value) JSON data is expressed as name/value pairs, much like the properties of JavaScript objects. A field name (in double quotes), a colon (:), and a value make up a name/value pair. For instance: "𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚂𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚎" Note: Keep in mind that JSON names need double quotes on the other hand JavaScript names do not. JSON Objects Curly brackets are used to write JSON objects.  Objects can include many name/value pairs, just like in JavaScript. For instance: {"𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚂𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚎", "𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝙼𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚘𝚗"} Working with JSON Changing a JSON Text to a JavaScript Object Reading data from a web server and displaying it on a web page is a popular use for parsing json in js. To keep things simple, let's say we have a string as input. Make a JavaScript string with JSON syntax first: 𝚟𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 = '{ "𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚎𝚜" : [' + '{ "𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝙹𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚜" , "𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝙰𝚕𝚊𝚗" },' + '{ "𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚔𝚑𝚊𝚒" , "𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚔" },' + '{ "𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚓𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚊" , "𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎":"𝚜𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚑" } ]}'; After that, use the JavaScript built-in function JSON.parse() to translate the string into a JavaScript object just as the example given below. var obj = JSON.parse(text); Conclusively, now you can use the new JavaScript object. Example: <𝚙 𝚒𝚍="𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚘"></𝚙><𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚝> 𝚍𝚘𝚌𝚞𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝.𝚐𝚎𝚝𝙴𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝙱𝚢𝙸𝚍("𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚘").𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚛𝙷𝚃𝙼𝙻 = 𝚘𝚋𝚓.𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚎𝚜[𝟷].𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎 + " " + 𝚘𝚋𝚓.𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚎𝚜[𝟷].𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚎; </𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚝> Let's now explore the several JavaScript ways for parsing JSON data. JSON.parse() JavaScript has a built-in function called JSON.parse() to turn a JSON string into a JavaScript object. The syntax is straightforward. Example: 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 = '{"𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎": "𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗", "𝚊𝚐𝚎": 𝟹0}'; 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙾𝚋𝚓𝚎𝚌𝚝 = 𝙹𝚂𝙾𝙽.𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚎(𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐); 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚕(𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙾𝚋𝚓𝚎𝚌𝚝); // 𝙾𝚞𝚝𝚙𝚞𝚝: { 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎: '𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗', 𝚊𝚐𝚎: 𝟹0 } Parsing JSON from a File External files are frequently used to store JSON data. In JavaScript, you may use asynchronous methods like fetch() or frameworks like Axios to get and parse JSON data from a file. Here's an example with fetch(): 𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚌𝚑('𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊.𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗') .𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗(𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎 => 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎.𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗()) .𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗(𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊 => 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚕𝚘𝚐(𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊)) .𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑(𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛 => 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛('𝙴𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙹𝚂𝙾𝙽:', 𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛)); Handling JSON Arrays JSON arrays are defined as comma-separated values surrounded by square brackets []. You can parse JSON arrays in the same way that you can parse objects using JSON.parse(). Example: 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙰𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚢𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 = '[{"𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎": "𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗", "𝚊𝚐𝚎": 𝟹0}, {"𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎": "𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚎", "𝚊𝚐𝚎": 𝟸𝟻}]'; 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙰𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚢 = 𝙹𝚂𝙾𝙽.𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚎(𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙰𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚢𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐); 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚕(𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙰𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚢); // 𝙾𝚞𝚝𝚙𝚞𝚝: [ { 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎: '𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗', 𝚊𝚐𝚎: 𝟹0 }, { 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎: '𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚎', 𝚊𝚐𝚎: 𝟸𝟻 } ] Error Handling When processing JSON data, it is critical to handle mistakes graciously. If the supplied string contains invalid JSON, the JSON.parse() function returns a SyntaxError. You may use try-catch blocks to deal with parsing errors: Example: 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚍𝙹𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 = '{𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎: "𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗", 𝚊𝚐𝚎: 𝟹0}'; 𝚝𝚛𝚢 { 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚍𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚊 = 𝙹𝚂𝙾𝙽.𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚎(𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚍𝙹𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐); 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚕𝚘𝚐(𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚍𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚊); } 𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 (𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛) { 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛('𝙴𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙹𝚂𝙾𝙽:', 𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛); } Reviver Function The JSON.parse() method takes an optional reviver function as its second argument. This method lets you change how the JSON parsing process works by changing the processed value before it is returned. Example: 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 = '{"𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎": "𝟸0𝟸𝟺-0𝟸-𝟸𝟹𝚃𝟷𝟸:00:00.000𝚉"}'; 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙾𝚋𝚓𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 = 𝙹𝚂𝙾𝙽.𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚎(𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜, (𝚔𝚎𝚢, 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎) => { 𝚒𝚏 (𝚔𝚎𝚢 === '𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎') { 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎(𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎); } 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎; }); 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚕𝚘𝚐(𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗𝙾𝚋𝚓𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜.𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎); // 𝙾𝚞𝚝𝚙𝚞𝚝: 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚎 Fetch with JSON parsing Retrieves data from an external source (such as an API) and automatically parses it into JSON. Example: 𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚌𝚑('𝚑𝚝𝚝𝚙𝚜://𝚊𝚙𝚒.𝚎𝚡𝚊𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎.𝚌𝚘𝚖/𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊') .𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗(𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎 => 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎.𝚓𝚜𝚘𝚗()) .𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗(𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊 => 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚕𝚘𝚐(𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚊.𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎)) // 𝙰𝚜𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝙿𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚜 𝙹𝚂𝙾𝙽 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊 "𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎" 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚢 .𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑(𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛 => 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎.𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛(𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛));  Cautions to Parsing JSON in JavaScript  JSON parsing is an essential ability for web developers. Learn how to use JSON.parse() and JSON.stringify() for fundamental functionality. As your demands change, you can explore more complex approaches. Prioritize data security and validation. Conclusion In a nutshell, one of the most important aspects of web development is parsing JSON in JavaScript, which allows JSON strings to be converted into JavaScript objects for efficient data handling. This procedure is made simpler by the integrated JSON.parse() function, which enables developers to easily integrate and use external data—especially when utilizing APIs. The foundation for developing dynamic and interactive user interfaces is provided by JavaScript, a flexible and popular computer language.  Furthermore, json parsing js is an essential component of contemporary web development because of its interoperability with both HTML and CSS and a thriving ecosystem of tools and frameworks. JavaScript has a significant impact on how online applications run and how users interact with them, whether it is through performance optimization, data gathering from other sources, or best practices implementation. 
22 March 2024 · 7 min to read

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