I need a method that can have an arbitrary number of parameters. In C# we have the params statement. Do we have anything similar in JavaScript?
There is the arguments collection, which contains all arguments passed to the function.
There is a) no need to specify "optional" arguments in the function signature and b) any function accepts any number of parameters.
function foo() {
console.log(arguments);
}
foo(1,2,3,4); // logs [1, 2, 3, 4]
Likewise, there is no need to supply "required" arguments in a function call:
function foo(a, b, c, d) {
console.log(arguments);
}
foo(1,2); // logs [1, 2]
Any argument named in the signature but not supplied in the function call will be undefined.
Note that arguments behaves like an Array, but technically it isn't one. For example, you can call arguments[0], but you can't call arguments.slice(). What you can do to get around this is using the Array prototype:
Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments, 1, 2);
The so-called rest parameter ... is a new (ES6+) addition to the language and makes working with variadic functions more comfortable. #ArunCM's answer explains it.
I know this thread is too old but I believe something is missing here.
There is Rest parameter (introduced in ECMAScript 6) which will allow us to represent an indefinite number of arguments as an array.
It always returns an array. Which means even in defensive JavaScript land, it’s ok to do things like check .length of rest without guards.
Syntax :
function(a, b, ...theArgs) {
// ...
}
There are three main differences between rest parameters and the arguments object:
rest parameters are only the ones that haven't been given a separate name, while the arguments object contains all arguments passed to the function
the arguments object is not a real array, while rest parameters are Array instances, meaning methods like sort, map, forEach or pop can be applied on it directly;
the arguments object has additional functionality specific to itself (like the callee property).
Additional reading : Spread
function f(x, ...y) {
// y is an Array
return x * y.length;
}
console.log("Expected result : 3*2 = 6 & Actual result : " + f(3, "hello", true));
console.log("Expected result : 3*4 = 12 & Actual result : " + f(3, "a", true, "b", 1));
//here we are not passing anything to "y" but its still safe to check .length of "y" because it always return an array.
console.log("Expected result : 3*0 = 0 & Actual result : " + f(3));
Yes. arguments.
function concatStrings () {
var str = '';
for (var i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
str += arguments[i];
}
return str;
}
Be aware that arguments isn't an array, so it doesn't have methods like join or push. It's just an array-like object (with numerical properties and a length property) so it can be iterated through.
JavaScript has arguments object inside functions. It contains of all params passed to the function.
More info
It is some sort of implicit in the special variable "arguments". Use like this:
function something(arg1, arg2) {
for (var i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
var x = arguments[i];
}
}
Then you can call it like something(1, 2, 3, 'a', 'b', 'c')
More examples here: http://www.jtricks.com/javascript_tutorials/varargs.html
Javascript functions can accept any number of parameters by default. You can see them with the arguments variable.
See here.
Related
I'd like to call a function using an array as parameters:
const x = ['p0', 'p1', 'p2'];
call_me(x[0], x[1], x[2]); // I don't like it
function call_me (param0, param1, param2 ) {
// ...
}
Is there a better way of passing the contents of x into call_me()?
const args = ['p0', 'p1', 'p2'];
call_me.apply(this, args);
See MDN docs for Function.prototype.apply().
If the environment supports ECMAScript 6, you can use a spread argument instead:
call_me(...args);
Why don't you pass the entire array and process it as needed inside the function?
var x = [ 'p0', 'p1', 'p2' ];
call_me(x);
function call_me(params) {
for (i=0; i<params.length; i++) {
alert(params[i])
}
}
In ES6 standard there is a new spread operator ... which does exactly that.
call_me(...x)
It is supported by all major browsers except for IE.
The spread operator can do many other useful things, and the linked documentation does a really good job at showing that.
Assuming that call_me is a global function, so you don't expect this to be set.
var x = ['p0', 'p1', 'p2'];
call_me.apply(null, x);
As #KaptajnKold had answered
var x = [ 'p0', 'p1', 'p2' ];
call_me.apply(this, x);
And you don't need to define every parameters for call_me function either.
You can just use arguments
function call_me () {
// arguments is a array consisting of params.
// arguments[0] == 'p0',
// arguments[1] == 'p1',
// arguments[2] == 'p2'
}
While using spread operator we must note that it must be the last or only parameter passed. Else it will fail.
function callMe(...arr){ //valid arguments
alert(arr);
}
function callMe(name, ...arr){ //valid arguments
alert(arr);
}
function callMe(...arr, name){ //invalid arguments
alert(arr);
}
If you need to pass an array as the starting argument you can do:
function callMe(arr, name){
let newArr = [...arr];
alert(newArr);
}
Function arguments may also be Arrays:
function foo([a,b,c], d){
console.log(a,b,c,d);
}
foo([1,2,3], 4)
of-course one can also use spread:
function foo(a, b, c, d){
console.log(a, b, c, d);
}
foo(...[1, 2, 3], 4)
Note this
function FollowMouse() {
for(var i=0; i< arguments.length; i++) {
arguments[i].style.top = event.clientY+"px";
arguments[i].style.left = event.clientX+"px";
}
};
//---------------------------
html page
<body onmousemove="FollowMouse(d1,d2,d3)">
<p><div id="d1" style="position: absolute;">Follow1</div></p>
<div id="d2" style="position: absolute;"><p>Follow2</p></div>
<div id="d3" style="position: absolute;"><p>Follow3</p></div>
</body>
can call function with any Args
<body onmousemove="FollowMouse(d1,d2)">
or
<body onmousemove="FollowMouse(d1)">
you can use the spread syntax
for example:
function print(...inpu){
console.log(...inpu)
}
var arry = ['p0','p1','p2']
print(...arry)
here is the link: modzilla spread syntax refrence document
you can use spread operator in a more basic form
[].concat(...array)
in the case of functions that return arrays but are expected to pass as arguments
Example:
function expectArguments(...args){
return [].concat(...args);
}
JSON.stringify(expectArguments(1,2,3)) === JSON.stringify(expectArguments([1,2,3]))
The answer was already given, but I just want to give my piece of cake. What you want to achieve is called method borrowing in the context of JS, that when we take a method from an object and call it in the context of another object. It is quite common to take array methods and apply them to arguments. Let me give you an example.
So we have "super" hashing function which takes two numbers as an argument and returns "super safe" hashed string:
function hash() {
return arguments[0]+','+arguments[1];
}
hash(1,2); // "1,2" whoaa
So far so good, but we have little problem with the above approach, it is constrained, only works with two numbers, that is not dynamic, let's make it work with any number and plus you do not have to pass an array (you can if you still insist). Ok, Enough talk, Let's fight!
The natural solution would be to use arr.join method:
function hash() {
return arguments.join();
}
hash(1,2,4,..); // Error: arguments.join is not a function
Oh, man. Unfortunately, that won’t work. Because we are calling hash(arguments) and arguments object is both iterable and array-like, but not a real array. How about the below approach?
function hash() {
return [].join.call(arguments);
}
hash(1,2,3,4); // "1,2,3,4" whoaa
The trick is called method borrowing.
We borrow a join method from a regular array [].join. And use [].join.call to run it in the context of arguments.
Why does it work?
That’s because the internal algorithm of the native method arr.join(glue) is very simple.
Taken from the specification almost “as-is”:
Let glue be the first argument or, if no arguments, then a comma ",".
Let result be an empty string.
Append this[0] to result.
Append glue and this[1].
Append glue and this[2].
…Do so until this.length items are glued.
Return result.
So, technically it takes this and joins this[0], this[1] …etc together. It’s intentionally written in a way that allows any array-like this (not a coincidence, many methods follow this practice). That’s why it also works with this=arguments.
There's a better way using JSON not an Array!
// Call a function with a Json Key / Value Pair:
sendMail({param1: p1, param2: p2});
// Function definition and usage of value pairs:
function sendMail(data){
var parameter1 = data.param1;
var parameter2 = data.param2;
}
How can callback function work with one parameter when it requires 2 (selector and data) to go? Why doesn't it throw an error?
let links = document.querySelectorAll("a");
links.forEach(function(link){
link.addEventListener("click",function(e){
e.preventDefault();
ajax("get",e.target.href,render)
})
})
function ajax(url,metodo,callback){
let xhr = new XMLHttpRequest
xhr.open(metodo,url)
xhr.addEventListener("load",function(){
if(xhr.status==200){
callback(xhr.response)
}
})
xhr.send()
}
function render(selector,data){
document.querySelector(selector).innerHTML = data
}
In javascript, it is not necessary to call with same number of parameters as defined in function definition. If we do not define a default parameter value in function definition, then parameter becomes type of undefined.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Functions/Default_parameters
Default function parameters allow formal parameters to be initialized
with default values if no value or undefined is passed.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Functions
Starting with ECMAScript 2015, there are two new kinds of parameters:
default parameters and rest parameters.
Default parameters: In JavaScript, parameters of functions default to
undefined. However, in some situations it might be useful to set a
different default value. This is where default parameters can help.
In the past, the general strategy for setting defaults was to test
parameter values in the body of the function and assign a value if
they are undefined. If in the following example, no value is provided
for b in the call, its value would be undefined when evaluating a*b
and the call to multiply would have returned NaN. However, this is
caught with the second line in this example:
function multiply(a, b) {
b = typeof b !== 'undefined' ? b : 1;
return a * b;
}
multiply(5); // 5
With default parameters, the check in the function body is no longer necessary. Now, you can simply put 1 as the default
value for b in the function head:
function multiply(a, b = 1) {
return a * b;
}
multiply(5); // 5
For more details, see default parameters in the reference.
Rest parameters: The rest parameter syntax allows us to represent an
indefinite number of arguments as an array. In the example, we use the
rest parameters to collect arguments from the second one to the end.
We then multiply them by the first one.
function multiply(multiplier, ...theArgs) {
return theArgs.map(x => multiplier * x);
}
var arr = multiply(2, 1, 2, 3);
console.log(arr); // [2, 4, 6]
Argument Object:
Using the arguments object, you can call a function with more
arguments than it is formally declared to accept. This is often useful
if you don't know in advance how many arguments will be passed to the
function. You can use arguments.length to determine the number of
arguments actually passed to the function, and then access each
argument using the arguments object.
For example, consider a function that concatenates several strings.
The only formal argument for the function is a string that specifies
the characters that separate the items to concatenate. The function is
defined as follows:
function myConcat(separator) {
var result = ''; // initialize list
var i;
// iterate through arguments
for (i = 1; i < arguments.length; i++) {
result += arguments[i] + separator;
}
return result;
}
You can pass any number of arguments to this function, and it
concatenates each argument into a string "list":
// returns "red, orange, blue, "
myConcat(', ', 'red', 'orange', 'blue');
// returns "elephant; giraffe; lion; cheetah; "
myConcat('; ', 'elephant', 'giraffe', 'lion', 'cheetah');
// returns "sage. basil. oregano. pepper. parsley. "
myConcat('. ', 'sage', 'basil', 'oregano', 'pepper', 'parsley');
To make it throw error, if same number of argument is not passed in function, typescript can be used.
It was really confusing for me to read this syntax in Javascript:
router.route('/:id')
.put((...args) => controller.update(...args))
.get((...args) => controller.findById(...args));
What does ...args mean?
With respect to (...args) =>, ...args is a rest parameter. It always has to be the last entry in the parameter list and it will be assigned an array that contains all arguments that haven't been assigned to previous parameters.
It's basically the replacement for the arguments object. Instead of writing
function max() {
var values = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments, 0);
// ...
}
max(1,2,3);
you can write
function max(...value) {
// ...
}
max(1,2,3);
Also, since arrow functions don't have an arguments object, this is the only way to create variadic (arrow) functions.
As controller.update(...args), see What is the meaning of "foo(...arg)" (three dots in a function call)? .
Essentially, what's being done is this:
.put((a, b, c) => controller.update(a, b, c))
Of course, what if we want 4 parameters, or 5, or 6? We don't want to write a new version of the function for all possible quantities of parameters.
The spread operator (...) allows us to accept a variable number of arguments and store them in an array. We then use the spread operator again to pass them to the update function:
.put((...args) => controller.update(...args))
This is transparent to the update function, who receives them as normal arguments.
The meaning of “…args” (three dots) is Javascript spread operator.
function sum(x, y, z) {
return x + y + z;
}
const numbers = [1, 2, 3];
console.log(sum(...numbers));
// expected output: 6
If you know some Python syntaxes, it is exactly the same as *args. Since *args (Python) is tuple object and Javascript has no tuple like Python, ..args is an Array object.
means pass all values (useful if have unknown# of items)
sample code
console.log(sum(1, 2, 3, 4)); // expected output: 10
function sum(...allItems) {
let total = 0;
for (const item of allItems) {
total += item;
}
return total;
}
It's called 'rest parameter', you can use rest parameter to pass unspecified number of arguments as an array, And a function can have only one rest parameter and it have to be the last parameter for the function
function sum(...args){
let output = 0;
for(const num of args){
output += num;
}
return output;
}
console.log(sum(2,4,8));
here it takes the argument that passed on sum as an array and sum the output and return it
I'm looking for a javascript function that can:
Condition (I)
compose another function when it does not have recursion in its definition, kind of like in maths when the function is given a power, but with multiple arguments possible in the first input - e.g. with a (math) function f:
f(x) := x+2
f5(x) = f(f(f(f(f(x))))) = x+10
Condition (II)
Or maybe even input custom arguments into each step of composition:
(52)2)2=
Math.pow(Math.pow(Math.pow(5,2),2),2) = Math.pow.pow([5,2],2,["r",2]])
//first arg set, how times the next, 2nd arg set - "r" stands for recursion -
//that argument will be occupied by the same function
//Using new solution:
_.supercompose(Math.pow,[[5,2],[_,2],[_,2]]) //-> 390625
2((52)3)=
Math.pow(2,Math.pow(Math.pow(5,2),3)) = Math.pow.pow([5,2],["r",2],["r",3],[2,"r"])
//Using new solution:
_.supercompose(Math.pow,[[5,2],[_,2],[_,3]]) //-> 244140625
_.supercompose(Math.pow,[[5,2],[_,2],[_,3],[2,_]]) //-> Infinity (bigger than the max. number)
Note: The above are just templates, the resulting function doesn't have to have the exact arguments, but the more close to this (or creative, for example, a possibility of branching off like this ->[2,4,"r",4,2,"r"], which would also be complicated) the better.
I've been attempting to do at least (I) with Function.prototype, I came up with this:
Object.defineProperty(Function.prototype,"pow",{writable:true});
//Just so the function not enumerable using a for-in loop (my habit)
function forceSlice(context,argsArr)
{returnArray.prototype.slice.apply(context,argsArr)}
Function.prototype.pow = function(power)
{
var args=power<2?forceSlice(arguments,[1]):
[this.pow.apply(this,[power-1].concat(forceSlice(arguments,[1])))];
return this.apply(0,args);
}
//Usage:
function square(a){return a*a;}
square.pow(4,2) //65536
function addThree(a,b){return a+(b||3); }
// gives a+b when b exists and isn't 0, else gives a+3
addThree.pow(3,5,4) //15 (((5+4)+3)+3)
Worst case, I might just go with eval, which I haven't figured out yet too. :/
Edit: Underscore.js, when played around with a bit, can fulfill both conditions.
I came up with this, which is close to done, but I can't get it to work:
_.partialApply = function(func,argList){_.partial.apply(_,[func].concat(argList))}
_.supercompose = function(func,instructions)
{
_.reduce(_.rest(instructions),function(memo,value)
{
return _.partialApply(_.partialApply(func, value),memo)();
},_.first(instructions))
}
//Usage:
_.supercompose(Math.pow,[[3,2],[_,2]]) //should be 81, instead throws "undefined is not a function"
Edit: jluckin's cleareance of terms (recursion-> function composition)
Edit: made example function return number instead of array
The term you are looking for is called function composition, not necessarily recursion. You can apply function composition in javascript easily since you can pass a function as an argument.
I created a small function called compose, which takes a function, an initial value, and the number of times to compose the function.
function compose(myFunction, initialValue, numberOfCompositions) {
if (numberOfCompositions === 1) {
return myFunction(initialValue);
}
else {
return compose(myFunction, myFunction(initialValue), --numberOfCompositions);
}
}
When this function is evaluated, you pass in some function f(x), some initial x0, and the repeat count. For example, numberOfCompositions = 3 gives f(f(f(x)));
If there is one composition, then f(x) is returned. If there are two compositions, compose returns f(x) with f(x) replacing x as the argument, with 1 passed in as the composition so it will evaluate f(f(x)).
This pattern holds for any number of compositions.
Since functions are treated as objects and can be passed as arguments of functions, this method basically wraps your "non-recursive" functions as recursive functions to allow composition.
Success(simplicity wins):
_.supercompose = function (func,instructions,context)
{
var val;
for(var i = 0; i < instructions.length; i++)
{
val = _.partial.apply(_,[func].concat(instructions[i])).apply(context||this,val?[val]:[]);
}
return val;
}
//Usage (with a function constructor for operations):
_.op = function(o){return Function.apply(this,"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz".split("").concat(["return " + o]))}
_.op("a+b")(3,5) //-> 8
_.op("a*b")(3,5) //-> 15
_.supercompose(_.op("(a+b)*c*(d||1)"),[[1,2,3],[-5,_,1],[1,2,_,3]])
//-> (1+2)*((-5+((1+2)*3))*1)*3 -> 36
I'd like to call a function using an array as parameters:
const x = ['p0', 'p1', 'p2'];
call_me(x[0], x[1], x[2]); // I don't like it
function call_me (param0, param1, param2 ) {
// ...
}
Is there a better way of passing the contents of x into call_me()?
const args = ['p0', 'p1', 'p2'];
call_me.apply(this, args);
See MDN docs for Function.prototype.apply().
If the environment supports ECMAScript 6, you can use a spread argument instead:
call_me(...args);
Why don't you pass the entire array and process it as needed inside the function?
var x = [ 'p0', 'p1', 'p2' ];
call_me(x);
function call_me(params) {
for (i=0; i<params.length; i++) {
alert(params[i])
}
}
In ES6 standard there is a new spread operator ... which does exactly that.
call_me(...x)
It is supported by all major browsers except for IE.
The spread operator can do many other useful things, and the linked documentation does a really good job at showing that.
Assuming that call_me is a global function, so you don't expect this to be set.
var x = ['p0', 'p1', 'p2'];
call_me.apply(null, x);
As #KaptajnKold had answered
var x = [ 'p0', 'p1', 'p2' ];
call_me.apply(this, x);
And you don't need to define every parameters for call_me function either.
You can just use arguments
function call_me () {
// arguments is a array consisting of params.
// arguments[0] == 'p0',
// arguments[1] == 'p1',
// arguments[2] == 'p2'
}
While using spread operator we must note that it must be the last or only parameter passed. Else it will fail.
function callMe(...arr){ //valid arguments
alert(arr);
}
function callMe(name, ...arr){ //valid arguments
alert(arr);
}
function callMe(...arr, name){ //invalid arguments
alert(arr);
}
If you need to pass an array as the starting argument you can do:
function callMe(arr, name){
let newArr = [...arr];
alert(newArr);
}
Function arguments may also be Arrays:
function foo([a,b,c], d){
console.log(a,b,c,d);
}
foo([1,2,3], 4)
of-course one can also use spread:
function foo(a, b, c, d){
console.log(a, b, c, d);
}
foo(...[1, 2, 3], 4)
Note this
function FollowMouse() {
for(var i=0; i< arguments.length; i++) {
arguments[i].style.top = event.clientY+"px";
arguments[i].style.left = event.clientX+"px";
}
};
//---------------------------
html page
<body onmousemove="FollowMouse(d1,d2,d3)">
<p><div id="d1" style="position: absolute;">Follow1</div></p>
<div id="d2" style="position: absolute;"><p>Follow2</p></div>
<div id="d3" style="position: absolute;"><p>Follow3</p></div>
</body>
can call function with any Args
<body onmousemove="FollowMouse(d1,d2)">
or
<body onmousemove="FollowMouse(d1)">
you can use the spread syntax
for example:
function print(...inpu){
console.log(...inpu)
}
var arry = ['p0','p1','p2']
print(...arry)
here is the link: modzilla spread syntax refrence document
you can use spread operator in a more basic form
[].concat(...array)
in the case of functions that return arrays but are expected to pass as arguments
Example:
function expectArguments(...args){
return [].concat(...args);
}
JSON.stringify(expectArguments(1,2,3)) === JSON.stringify(expectArguments([1,2,3]))
The answer was already given, but I just want to give my piece of cake. What you want to achieve is called method borrowing in the context of JS, that when we take a method from an object and call it in the context of another object. It is quite common to take array methods and apply them to arguments. Let me give you an example.
So we have "super" hashing function which takes two numbers as an argument and returns "super safe" hashed string:
function hash() {
return arguments[0]+','+arguments[1];
}
hash(1,2); // "1,2" whoaa
So far so good, but we have little problem with the above approach, it is constrained, only works with two numbers, that is not dynamic, let's make it work with any number and plus you do not have to pass an array (you can if you still insist). Ok, Enough talk, Let's fight!
The natural solution would be to use arr.join method:
function hash() {
return arguments.join();
}
hash(1,2,4,..); // Error: arguments.join is not a function
Oh, man. Unfortunately, that won’t work. Because we are calling hash(arguments) and arguments object is both iterable and array-like, but not a real array. How about the below approach?
function hash() {
return [].join.call(arguments);
}
hash(1,2,3,4); // "1,2,3,4" whoaa
The trick is called method borrowing.
We borrow a join method from a regular array [].join. And use [].join.call to run it in the context of arguments.
Why does it work?
That’s because the internal algorithm of the native method arr.join(glue) is very simple.
Taken from the specification almost “as-is”:
Let glue be the first argument or, if no arguments, then a comma ",".
Let result be an empty string.
Append this[0] to result.
Append glue and this[1].
Append glue and this[2].
…Do so until this.length items are glued.
Return result.
So, technically it takes this and joins this[0], this[1] …etc together. It’s intentionally written in a way that allows any array-like this (not a coincidence, many methods follow this practice). That’s why it also works with this=arguments.
There's a better way using JSON not an Array!
// Call a function with a Json Key / Value Pair:
sendMail({param1: p1, param2: p2});
// Function definition and usage of value pairs:
function sendMail(data){
var parameter1 = data.param1;
var parameter2 = data.param2;
}