Aliases with JavaScript Destructuring
Destructuring in JavaScript has totally changed the way JavaScript is written these days; code is more concise to write but but, from a visual standpoint, the syntax of the language has changed so much. Any good developer knows, however, that change is the constant we live in.
The basic idea behind destructuring in object literals is as follows:
const obj = { x: 1 };
// Grabs obj.x as { x }
const { x } = obj;
There are cases where you want the destructured variable to have a different name than the property name; in that case, you'll use a : newName to specify a name for the variable:
// Grabs obj.x as as { otherName }
const { x: otherName } = obj;
The syntax for specifying an alternate destructured name for an object property is simple and needed. Destructuring had the capability to confuse developers, especially array destructuring and function argument destructuring, but this alias syntax is a simple trick to keep in your locker!
![LightFace: Facebook Lightbox for MooTools]()
One of the web components I've always loved has been Facebook's modal dialog. This "lightbox" isn't like others: no dark overlay, no obnoxious animating to size, and it doesn't try to do "too much." With Facebook's dialog in mind, I've created LightFace: a Facebook lightbox...
![7 Essential JavaScript Functions]()
I remember the early days of JavaScript where you needed a simple function for just about everything because the browser vendors implemented features differently, and not just edge features, basic features, like addEventListener and attachEvent. Times have changed but there are still a few functions each developer should...
![Link Nudging Using Dojo]()
In the past we've tinkered with link nudging with MooTools and link nudging with jQuery. In an effort to familiarize myself with other JavaScript frameworks, we're going to try to duplicate that effect with another awesome framework: Dojo.
The JavaScript: Attempt...
![Select Dropdowns, MooTools, and CSS Print]()
I know I've harped on this over and over again but it's important to enhance pages for print. You can do some things using simple CSS but today's post features MooTools and jQuery. We'll be taking the options of a SELECT element and generating...
Always have to check your site first to see any updates. Love it david. That’s where good developers stand out. Always adapting to new changes. Just trying to get hang of destructing as i’m not the smartest one in the room.
Hello. I’m using an alias for my destructed object property. How can I handle the property when it’s undefined?
Thanks.
I was looking for something like this. I wonder why the proposal for this feature didn’t follow the syntax of import statements.
Example:
const { x as otherName } = obj;this is the typescript syntax
I don’t know why people call it an “alias”. If it were an alias, changing the variable would change the object property. E.g.
let obj = { x: 1 } let { x: x_notalias } = obj x_notalias = 2 // 2 obj // { x: 1 }I think the only time you can have an alias in JavaScript is with reference types.
let obj = { x: 1 } let obj_alias = obj obj_alias.x = 2 obj // { x: 2 }When destructuring we use the word “alias” to refer to a differently named variable with the same value, rather than a different name that should reference the same variable.