Execute JS code from string input

Question

Is there any way to do the following?

var value = foo;
execute("value = 'bar'");
console.log(value) // returns 'bar'

function execute(jsCodeString) {
    // execute js code
}

The other question is, "Are you sure that you have to execute your code this way?". I think window["value"] = 'bar' would accomplish the same thing. — Teepeemm
– Teepeemm, Commented Sep 8, 2014 at 18:23
Why would you want to do that? Where is the string actually coming from (a literal doesn't make sense)? — Bergi
– Bergi, Commented Sep 8, 2014 at 18:29

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:12:46Z

1

You would want to use "eval" for this.

function execute(jsCodeString) {
    eval(jsCodeString)
}

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answered Sep 8, 2014 at 18:16

Timothy

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1 Comment

This answer and Chris's answer were equally good, and I accepted this one at random. +1 for both answers as they are clear and link to documentation.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:57:16Z

1

Use eval()

eval("value = 'bar'");

Anyway, I suggest you to read about the pros and cons of using eval() When is JavaScript's eval() not evil?

CommunityBot

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answered Sep 8, 2014 at 18:15

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