Use variable to get value from JSON object

Question

I have the following getJSON which was working fine. I decided I wanted to be able to change the data shown on the page based on what the user selected. I have a function that sets a cookie based on the user selection. I want to take the value of this cookie and use it to get a specific value from the JSON object.

The value of the cookie is retrieved and stored in cohort1.

$.getJSON('all_get_login.php?cat_code=stocks&sortvalue=value&sortorder=asc', function(data) {
    $.each(data, function(key, val) {
        if (val.value == "Yes") {
            var cohort1 = readCookie('cohort_id_1');
            console.log(cohort1); //gives expected result
            var databaseYes = val.cohort1; //THIS LINE IS THE PROBLEM
            var databaseNo = 100 - databaseYes;
            $("#yes_stocks_db").append(databaseYes + "%");
            $("#no_stocks_db").append(databaseNo + "%");
    });
});

My JSON object looks like this:

[
    {
        "cat_code": "stocks",
        "group": "fin",
        "main_grouping": "Financial",
        "highest_level": "Financial",
        "category": "Invests in Stocks and Bonds",
        "value": "No",
        "database_percent": "38.90",
        "cohort_1": "43.88",
        "cohort_2": "27.66",
        "national_percent": "30.16"
    },
    {
        "cat_code": "stocks",
        "group": "fin",
        "main_grouping": "Financial",
        "highest_level": "Financial",
        "category": "Invests in Stocks and Bonds",
        "value": "Yes",
        "database_percent": "61.10",
        "cohort_1": "56.37",
        "cohort_2": "72.34",
        "national_percent": "70.10"
    }
]

Here's the problem: in the line in my getJSONthat has this var databaseYes= val.cohort1;, the script is looking for something in the JSON object that matches "cohort1", which will never be in the object. What I need in here is the value of the var cohort1 and not the actual text "cohort1". How can I change this line to accommodate that?

@RoryMcCrossan If I change that one line to (for example): var databaseYes = val.database_percent; where "database_percent" is something in the JSON object, it works just fine. The problem is when I try to pass a variable in there instead of something from the actual JSON. — jonmrich
– jonmrich, Commented Mar 3, 2015 at 14:06
I think you might mean var databaseYes = val[cohort1] ? Objective is not easy to understand as written. Perhaps an example value of the cookie would help — charlietfl
– charlietfl, Commented Mar 3, 2015 at 14:07
@charlietfl That was exactly it. Thanks. Please post as an answer so I can accept. — jonmrich
– jonmrich, Commented Mar 3, 2015 at 14:08

charlietfl · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-03 14:10:07Z

2

You can use [] object notation to pass a variable as a property name.

var cohort1 ='foo';
var databaseYes = val[cohort1];

This is the equivalent of val.foo

answered Mar 3, 2015 at 14:10

charlietfl

172k14 gold badges125 silver badges154 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Use variable to get value from JSON object

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related