JavaScript: Convert String as Parameter to Array Name?

Question

is it possible to convert Function Parameter string to Array name?

function SwitchElement(type){

    var cur = type.indexOf(document.getElementById(type).src);
    console.log(cur);
    if(cur < eyes.length-1){

    }
}

So that "type" is Addressed as array name.

If so, how? I am trying to do it just like that function but it returns me index -1

Note: Div of element and Arrayname share same name.

I have few arrays. For example: eyes, clothes, hair. I want to specify "type" variable as one of those 3. — arleitiss
– arleitiss, Commented Feb 20, 2015 at 21:34

Matt Burland · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-21 03:01:03Z

1

Assuming you are passing in a string, the best way to handle this would be to arrange your arrays into an object. So instead of:

var skins = [];
var eyes = [];
// etc...

You'll have something like:

parts = {
    skins: [],
    eyes: [],
    // etc
};

Now in your function you can do something like:

function SwitchElement(type){

    var cur = parts[type].indexOf(document.getElementById(type).src);
    console.log(cur);
    if(cur < parts[type].length-1){

    }
}

edited Feb 21, 2015 at 3:01

answered Feb 20, 2015 at 21:50

Matt Burland

45.3k18 gold badges110 silver badges182 bronze badges

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

5 Comments

Felix Kling Over a year ago

I guess that should be parts[type].indexOf(...).

Matt Burland Over a year ago

@FelixKling: Yep. Completely missed they had that there.

arleitiss Over a year ago

So without arranging arrays into object it's not possible to easily convert string to array name which exists already? I have 7 arrays which share same function but accessing different array, I would love if I can re-use that function by just specifying which array to use in parameters.

Matt Burland Over a year ago

@arleitiss: You can, by putting them in an object. And as a bonus you don't have 7 arrays polluting the global namespace, instead you have just one object. Technically, you could use eval, but don't. It's terrible practice.

arleitiss Over a year ago

@MattBurland I found another answer on stackoverflow last night, it suggested just writing: this[arrayname/paramter] and that works as reference to array I want (basically what I want to get done), not using eval

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

JavaScript: Convert String as Parameter to Array Name?

1 Answer 1

5 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

5 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related