Assign value not reference in javascript [duplicate]

Question

I am having a little problem assigning objects in javascript.

take a look at this sample code that reproduces my problem.

var fruit = {
   name: "Apple"
};

var vegetable = fruit;
vegetable.name = "potatoe";
console.log(fruit);

it logs

Object {name: "potatoe"}

How can I assign the value not the reference of an object to another object?

Make a copy of the object - one simple way is: var vegetable = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(fruit)); — tymeJV
– tymeJV, Commented Oct 19, 2016 at 14:02
How can I assign the value not the reference of an object to another object?. You can't JavaScript doesn't work like that. Your only option is to copy the object as @tymeJV says. — Liam
– Liam, Commented Oct 19, 2016 at 14:03
Check this SO question out: stackoverflow.com/questions/12690107/… — Koen
– Koen, Commented Oct 19, 2016 at 14:04

BrTkCa · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-19 14:34:34Z

63

var fruit = {
   name: "Apple"
};

var vegetable = Object.assign({}, fruit);
vegetable.name = "potatoe";
console.log(fruit);

answered Oct 19, 2016 at 14:03

BrTkCa

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4 Comments

Note, this doesn't assign the value (as the OP wants) but copies it into a new object. Subtle but sometimes important distinction

can you please explain a little this assign call? what is that empty object in the first argument?

@MubasharAbbas See here