JavaScript: The Good Parts

Confusion

A common error in JavaScript programs is to use an object when an array is required or an array when an object is required. The rule is simple: when the property names are small sequential integers, you should use an array. Otherwise, use an object.

JavaScript itself is confused about the difference between arrays and objects. The typeof operator reports that the type of an array is 'object', which isn't very helpful.

JavaScript does not have a good mechanism for distinguishing between arrays and objects. We can work around that deficiency by defining our own is_array function:

var is_array = function (value) {
    return value && typeof value === 'object' && value.constructor === Array;
};

Unfortunately, it fails to identify arrays that were constructed in a different window or frame. If we want to accurately detect those foreign arrays, we have to work a little harder:

var is_array = function (value) {
    return Object.prototype.toString.apply(value) === '[object 
Array]';
};