String to access nested value from object in array

Question

I have a somewhat strange question, I would like to know if it is possible to use a string as an entire reference to get a value from an object within an array.

This is my array:

const myArray = [
    {name: 'element1', id: 'elementid1'},
    {name: 'element2', id: 'elementid2'}
];

where myArray[0]["name"] returns: 'element1'

Would it be possible to have this entire reference: myArray[0]["name"] as a string: 'myArray[0]["name"]' and use it to reference to this value.

So this: getViaString returns 'element1' with the following set up:

const getViaString = 'myArray[0]["name"]';

I have set up this fiddle as it probably explains better what I am trying to do: jsfiddle

Thanks.

you had everything right, but you put quotes around your value. just do `const getViaString = myArray[0]["name"];` — Steven Stark, Mar 11 '19 at 21:24
@StevenStark if those quotes would be remove it would no longer be a string :( — prettyInPink, Mar 11 '19 at 21:30
well then you need the eval that others are recommending, but this is a bad way to design your application and is an anti-pattern. — Steven Stark, Mar 11 '19 at 21:32

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 11 '19 at 21:23

1

yes you can do it with

const getViaString = eval('myArray[0]["name"]');

answered Mar 11 '19 at 21:23

Aziz.G

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score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 11 '19 at 21:24

1

You could potentially use eval() - not recommended.

const getViaString = eval("myArray[0]['name']");

answered Mar 11 '19 at 21:24

Jack Bashford

43,180
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1

If eval is not recommended, what other approach is there in this specific case? – prettyInPink Mar 11 '19 at 21:46

String to access nested value from object in array

2 Answers2