Reference javascript array inside click function by dynamically creating the array name

Question

So I have an array something like this:

var first_array = ['foo','bar','foobar'];

I am running a click function and trying to get the name of the array and loop through the array which has first as the ID name something like this

$('element').on('click',function(){
    var id = $(this).attr('id');
    var arr = id+"_array";
    $.each(arr,function(index,value){
        console.log(value);
    })
})

Now the arr gives a variable name first_array and not the array. Hence the each loop fails. Is there a way to reference the array? I need to dynamically create the array variable name and get the array elements. I have also tried declaring the array globally and inside the click function but does not work.

first_array will be a string... You should use t as a key of the object... — Rayon
– Rayon, Commented Apr 26, 2016 at 7:47
And initial object should be: var obj = {first_array:['foo','bar','foobar']}; — Rayon
– Rayon, Commented Apr 26, 2016 at 7:47
@RayonDabre And what if I have multiple arrays. Can I include all in obj like var obj = {first_array:['foo','bar','foobar'],second_array:['bar','foo']}. Will try it out. — Aditya
– Aditya, Commented Apr 26, 2016 at 7:54
You best keep you arrays in an object and access through bracket notation like myArrays[first_array] or if it is in global scope than access it like window[first_array] where first_array is a dynamic variable holding the array name. — Redu
– Redu, Commented Apr 26, 2016 at 8:40

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:31:14Z

1

Like Rayon Dabre said in the comments, you should use a parent object containing your first_array, and more, like that :

var parent_array = {
    first_array: ['foo','bar','foobar'],
    second_array: ['foo2', 'bar2', 'foobar2']
};

$('element').on('click',function(){
    var id = $(this).attr('id');
    var arr = parent_array[id+"_array"];
    $.each(arr,function(index,value){
        console.log(value);
    })
});

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:31

CommunityBot

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answered Apr 26, 2016 at 7:54

Aurel

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1 Comment

Rayon Over a year ago

parent array ? Do you mean Object ?

Velimir Tchatchevsky · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-26 07:53:15Z

0

You can put all your arrays into a javascript object or a parent array and access them by key/name like parentArr["first_array"]

answered Apr 26, 2016 at 7:53

Velimir Tchatchevsky

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