Confusion in the object and array for Node.js

Question

I have the following code:

    var dataArray = [];

    switch (request_url.query.group) {
        case 'returning': 
            dataArray = {};
            var returning = _.filter(result, function(result) {
                return (result.sessions.length > 1) ? true : false;
            });
            //Am I setting the object dataArray here?
            dataArray.returning = returning.length; 
            //Am I setting the array dataArray here?
            dataArray['new'] = result.length - returning.length; 
            break;

I have confusion regarding dataArray here. The first line of code declares an array and in the switch case an object of the same name is declared. What is the 'new' and 'returning' values set and whom do it respectively belong to, the array or the object? Also, is object a super class of array in Node.js?

There's only one declaration, on the first line.

hobbs
– hobbs

2013-04-16 22:52:31 +00:00
Commented Apr 16, 2013 at 22:52 — hobbs
– hobbs, Commented Apr 16, 2013 at 22:52
There is a declaration of dataArray in the switch case

Siddharth Sakhadeo
– Siddharth Sakhadeo

2013-04-16 22:57:52 +00:00
Commented Apr 16, 2013 at 22:57 — Siddharth Sakhadeo
– Siddharth Sakhadeo, Commented Apr 16, 2013 at 22:57
no there isn't. There's an assignment.

hobbs
– hobbs

2013-04-16 23:05:16 +00:00
Commented Apr 16, 2013 at 23:05 — hobbs
– hobbs, Commented Apr 16, 2013 at 23:05

Jonathan Lonowski · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-16 23:26:46Z

1

What is the 'new' and 'returning' values set and whom do it respectively belong to, the array or the object?

They'll belong to the Object. The Array is only referenced by dataArray up until this line:

dataArray = {};

After that, dataArray will only be a reference the Object while the Array would become unreachable and available for garbage collection.

Note: If you were wanting dataArray to be an "Array of Objects," you can assign the Object to an index of dataArray:

dataArray[0] = {};

And set the properties similarly:

dataArray[0].returning = ...;
dataArray[0]['new'] = ...;

Also, is object a super class of array in Node.js?

Yes. Arrays inherit from Objects because Array.prototype is an Object. MDN has a good summary of the prototype chain, which is JavaScript's inheritance model.

edited Apr 16, 2013 at 23:26

answered Apr 16, 2013 at 23:07

Jonathan Lonowski

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