What is an Array?
An array is a special variable that can hold multiple values. For example, instead of storing 5 numbers in 5 variables, you can store them in a single array.
let numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50];
Creating Arrays
1. Using Square Brackets (Recommended)
let fruits = ["Apple", "Banana", "Mango"];
This creates an array named fruits
with 3 values.
2. Using new Array()
let scores = new Array(85, 90, 75);
This also creates an array, but the square brackets method is preferred.
Accessing Array Elements
let cities = ["Mumbai", "Paris", "London"];
console.log(cities[0]); // "Mumbai"
Use the index number to access a value. Note: Index starts from 0.
Get Array Length
let cities = ["Mumbai", "Paris", "London"];
console.log(cities.length); // 3
.length
tells how many items are in the array.
Updating Elements
cities[1] = "Tokyo";
console.log(cities); // ["Mumbai", "Tokyo", "London"]
This changes the second value from "Paris" to "Tokyo".
Adding Elements
1. Add at End using push()
cities.push("Delhi");
console.log(cities); // ["Mumbai", "Tokyo", "London", "Delhi"]
push()
adds a value at the end.
2. Add at Beginning using unshift()
cities.unshift("New York");
console.log(cities); // ["New York", "Mumbai", "Tokyo", "London", "Delhi"]
unshift()
adds value at the beginning.
3. Add at Specific Index
cities[5] = "Sydney";
console.log(cities);
If you use a new index, it adds a value there. Missing indexes become undefined
.
Removing Elements
1. Remove Last Element using pop()
let last = cities.pop();
console.log(last); // "Sydney"
console.log(cities);
pop()
removes the last value and returns it.
2. Remove First Element using shift()
let first = cities.shift();
console.log(first); // "New York"
console.log(cities);
shift()
removes the first value and returns it.
3. Remove Specific Element using filter()
let cities = ["Mumbai", "Paris", "London", "Tokyo"];
let updatedCities = cities.filter(city => city !== "London");
console.log(updatedCities); // ["Mumbai", "Paris", "Tokyo"]
Use filter()
to create a new array without unwanted values.
Looping Through an Array
1. forEach()
cities.forEach(city => console.log(city));
Goes through each element and runs the function.
2. for Loop
for(let i = 0; i < cities.length; i++) {
console.log(cities[i]);
}
Classic loop using index numbers.
3. for...of Loop
for(let city of cities) {
console.log(city);
}
Loop directly through the values.
4. for...in Loop
for(let index in cities) {
console.log(cities[index]);
}
Loop through the index positions.
Summary
- .push() – Add to end
- .unshift() – Add to start
- .pop() – Remove from end
- .shift() – Remove from start
- .length – Get size
- .filter() – Remove specific values
- .forEach() – Loop through each value