Construct object's square bracket notation from array values

Question

Let's say I have an array with unknown number of values. For example: ['one', 'two', 'three'].

How can I construct a square bracket notation for an object from it? Basically, I need to create this: var result = myObject['one']['two']['three'].

They key here is to understand that there can be any number of values in the array and I just need to go n-levels deep into the object using these values.

Blender · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-26 09:14:40Z

4

You can use a loop:

var o = myObject;

for (var i = 0; i < yourArray.length; i++) {
    o = o[yourArray[i]];
}

Or with Array.reduce, which looks nicer but won't work in older browsers:

var o = {
    'one': {
        'two': {
            'three': 'four'
        }
    }
};

['one', 'two', 'three'].reduce(function(object, key) {
    return object[key];
}, o);

answered Jun 26, 2013 at 9:14

Blender

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2 Comments

Christoph Over a year ago

yeah, noob me misunderstood the question and embarrassed myself by making fun on others ... x_x

ragulka Over a year ago

Thanks! Decided to use reduce() because I need this on node.js only :)

Christoph · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-26 09:29:04Z

1

Short and precise with help of Array.reduce():

var o = { 'one': { 'two': { 'three': 'five' } } };
["one","two","three"].reduce(function(prev,cur){return prev[cur]},o);

reduce works from IE9 on.

edited Jun 26, 2013 at 9:29

answered Jun 26, 2013 at 9:16

Christoph

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2 Comments

Bergi Over a year ago

That's the reverse of what the OP wants…

Christoph Over a year ago

@Bergi just recognized that... ;) fixed it.

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