Create dictionary of local variables in Javascript

Question

I realize there is no way to get a dictionary of local variables in a javascript function, and no equivalent of python's locals(). However, is there a way to write a function that would assist in this. For example, something like:

var a = 1;
var b = 2;

var output = locals(a, b);
console.log(output);

And output would be a dictionary with all the variables:

{
    "a": 1,
    "b": 2
}

Or, any other way apart from me manually creating a map, and inserting each field.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17276206/list-all-js-global-variables-used-by-site-not-all-defined — epascarello, Nov 25 '19 at 18:33
As the questions you link to say: No. JS provides no mechanisms for inspecting what variables exist (other than globals when they are added to the default object as a side-effect) — Quentin, Nov 25 '19 at 18:35
If you are going to make a static function call, referencing the variables, you can use the short property syntax of the object literal: `const output = { a, b }` — Christian C. Salvadó, Nov 25 '19 at 18:36
@Quentin, I am not asking to inspect the variables in scope. I understand that is not possible. I am asking if there is a way to create a helper method to assist with creating a dictionary of specified local variables. The method will be passed all the variables of interest. So, this question is not really a duplicate. — rouble, Nov 25 '19 at 18:39

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 25 '19 at 18:42

No.

Since you can't pass variables (only values) the data passed to such a function would be 1 and 2 with no association with the variable name.

You can, however, use the shorthand object syntax:

const output = { a, b };

… where an identifier without a value will take its value from the variable of the same name.

1 Answers1