using variable to define json object name

Question

I'm having a problem that I think is very easy to solve, but I can't seem to find an answer for it in my searches.

I have a bunch of json objects that I'm using. Right now I get at the info like so for example:

for(image in data.everfi_commons.images) {
    alert(data.everfi_commons.images[image]);
}

what I'd like to do instead is instead of having the name 'everfi_commons' I'd like to just use a javascript variable that I've set up like so:

current_project = $(this).attr("id");  // this value is 'everfi_commons'

and then I thought you could just do data.current_project.images[image]

but this doesn't seem to work and I don't really understand why, any insight would be helpful!

h2ooooooo · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-29 21:23:04Z

2

Sure - just refer to the key as you refer to image:

for (image in data[current_project].images) {
    /*             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
                   This will refer to a key with the name of 
                   whatever is in the current_project variable */
    alert(data[current_project].images[image]);
}

answered Sep 29, 2013 at 21:23

h2ooooooo

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2 Comments

loriensleafs Over a year ago

it's interesting, when I do this, it goes through the alerts listing the images one at a time...but it does it twice, so goes all the way through, one, two, three, four, and then does it again, one, two, three, four

h2ooooooo Over a year ago

@loriensleafs Can you post your data object?

Jason Evans · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-29 21:22:37Z

2

Try

current_project = $(this).attr("id"); // this value is 'everfi_commons'

then

data[current_project].images[image]

You can access object properties using [] in JavaScript, which is very handy.

answered Sep 29, 2013 at 21:22

Jason Evans

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3 Comments

Alxandr Over a year ago

Basically (just to give a small extra explanation for @loriensleaf): x.abc is the same as writing x['abc'] in javascript. Meaning that if you have a variable containing the string abc (named name), x[name] would be another way to write the same.

loriensleafs Over a year ago

thanks, that's super helpful to know. Just out of curiosity, can you not write this in dot notation with the variable?

Jason Evans Over a year ago

Well, to be honest, yes you can. I suggested the [] approach as a sanity check, to make sure the property does exist. But hey, at least I've shown something new :)

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