Comparing the usage of join() and JSON.stringify() with an Array filled with objects

Question

Comparing the usage of join() and JSON.stringify() with an Array filled with objects

I have an array filled with objects:

array = [{...}, {...}, {...}];

To store this array in localStorage, I need to convert it into a string. To do this, I initially tried using:

array.join()

However, the result was not what I expected:

// [object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Afterwards, I decided to use:

JSON.stringify(array);

Surprisingly, this method worked perfectly and my output was:

// [{text}, {text}, {text}]

This raises the question: why does 'join()' not function like 'stringify()' in this scenario?

javascript arrays json

Answer 1

Answer №1

Why is 'join()' different from 'stringify()' in this context?

The reason 'join' and 'stringify' behave differently is because they serve distinct purposes. According to the documentation;

join() creates a new string by combining all elements in an array, separated by commas or a specified separator string.
stringify() converts a JavaScript object or value into a JSON string.

While join() functions as expected, it does not convert the object into a string like stringify() does.

Therefore, using the join() method is unnecessary in this scenario;

console.log(JSON.stringify([ { a: 1 }, { b: 2 } ] ));
// String: [{"a":1},{"b":2}]

Answer 2

Why is 'join()' different from 'stringify()' in this context?

The reason 'join' and 'stringify' behave differently is because they serve distinct purposes. According to the documentation;

join() creates a new string by combining all elements in an array, separated by commas or a specified separator string.
stringify() converts a JavaScript object or value into a JSON string.

While join() functions as expected, it does not convert the object into a string like stringify() does.

Therefore, using the join() method is unnecessary in this scenario;

console.log(JSON.stringify([ { a: 1 }, { b: 2 } ] ));
// String: [{"a":1},{"b":2}]

Answer 3

Answer №2

The main objective of the `join` function is to combine array elements into a single string, either with a separator or without one. This function works by converting each object into its string representation and then concatenating them together.

For instance, when the string representation of `{...}` is displayed as `[object Object]`, you have the flexibility to define it however you wish using the `toString()` method. As shown in the following example:

class MyClass {
    firstname = 'John';
    lastname = 'Doe';

    toString() {
        return this.firstname + " " + this.lastname;
    }
}

const a = [new MyClass, new MyClass];
console.log(a.join()); // --> "John Doe,John Doe"

The JSON representation serves as a way to serialize your object by encoding all attributes and their respective values. This can be particularly useful for later retrieval into an object format.

Answer 4

The main objective of the `join` function is to combine array elements into a single string, either with a separator or without one. This function works by converting each object into its string representation and then concatenating them together.

For instance, when the string representation of `{...}` is displayed as `[object Object]`, you have the flexibility to define it however you wish using the `toString()` method. As shown in the following example:

class MyClass {
    firstname = 'John';
    lastname = 'Doe';

    toString() {
        return this.firstname + " " + this.lastname;
    }
}

const a = [new MyClass, new MyClass];
console.log(a.join()); // --> "John Doe,John Doe"

The JSON representation serves as a way to serialize your object by encoding all attributes and their respective values. This can be particularly useful for later retrieval into an object format.

Comparing the usage of join() and JSON.stringify() with an Array filled with objects

Answer №1

Answer №2

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