Javascript: Understanding the application of "Const" for arrays and dictionaries

Initially, I interpreted the "const" keyword as indicating that a variable's value couldn't be changed. This seemed true for integers and strings. However, while watching a video today, I saw someone write the following:

const my_list = [];

my_list.push(someValue);

To my surprise, this code actually worked, despite my belief that the list would remain constant. This led me to question: Why? What is the benefit of declaring the list as constant if it ends up being altered anyway?

Answer №1

Assigning a variable with a string/number/boolean results in the variable holding the actual value of that string/number/boolean. However, when assigning a variable with an object or array, the variable holds the reference to the address of that object/array in memory. This is why when you push something into an array, the value of the variable remains the same as it still points to the address of the array in memory, preventing any errors from occurring.

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