Replacing an element in an object array

Question

I want to replace the entire object in an array.

var array = [ {name: "name1" }, { name: "name2" } ];
var element = array[0];
element = {name: "name3"};
alert(array[0].name);

In this piece of code I would expect the output name3, why can't I replace an entire object in an array like this? And what is the good way to do this?

You are just assigning an other value to element, not to array[0]. — Felix Kling
– Felix Kling, Commented May 21, 2012 at 10:39

Jon · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-21 10:50:47Z

16

The correct way is

array[0] = {name: "name3"};

Your existing code does not work as expected because you are taking a referenc* to the first element with

var element = array[0];

and then you are replacing the value of this local variable with another object. This leaves the original array unmodified.

edited May 21, 2012 at 10:50

answered May 21, 2012 at 10:39

Jon

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1 Comment

Sudarshan Kalebere Over a year ago

I think you should try array[i].name="you value to assign", if you follow array[i]={name:'something'}, every object property gets assign with only name all will be null in that case.

Manse · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-21 10:40:52Z

2

Try this :

var array = [ {name: "name1" }, { name: "name2" } ];
array[0] = {name: "name3"};
alert(array[0].name);

element is not the actual array - its a copy of the array

answered May 21, 2012 at 10:40

Manse

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