Why does Json stringify help when sending array to front end using express?

Question

I am using Nodejs with ejs template. I have an array in my Nodejs backend that looks like this:

array= [false,false,false,false]

Now, if I try to send this to my ejs doing something like

res.render("home",{myarray:array}

and in my ejs(frontend)

let myarray = <%- myarray %>

I get:

Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token false

which upon inspection shows

let myarray = false,false,false,false

However, in my backend if I change

res.render("home",{myarray:array}

to

res.render("home",{myarray:JSON.stringify(array)}

Everything works fine. Myarray now becomes an array again:

[false,false,false,false]

I just do not understand why JSON.stringify helps me send an array from the backend to the front end when I cannot send a regular array.

duplicated question at stackoverflow.com/questions/38179668/… — Chris Chen
– Chris Chen, Commented Sep 21, 2019 at 6:12

Ankit Kumar Rajpoot · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-21 09:01:52Z

1

You can use direct array in your ejs but you will have to use the loop in ejs. If you are sending via JSON.stringify you can revert via JSON.parse();

answered Sep 21, 2019 at 9:01

Ankit Kumar Rajpoot

5,6542 gold badges41 silver badges33 bronze badges

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

Comments

Chris Chen · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-21 06:23:52Z

0

In general, when frontend read anything from the server everything is in document/string format and needs to be deciphered.

Since ejs will pass variables in html format, all variables will need to be stringified.

Instead of passing the stringified variable directly, You can stringify your variables in Scriptlet as well. let myarray = <%- JSON.stringify(myarray) %>

answered Sep 21, 2019 at 6:23

Chris Chen

1,3039 silver badges15 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Why does Json stringify help when sending array to front end using express?

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related