Use dynamic variable names in JavaScript
Harness objects as a key-value repository in JavaScript to construct dynamic variable names. Select bracket notation to access properties with variable keys. Exemplified below.
The kvStore[propName]
sets or retrieves a property with the name held in propName
, making dynamic naming not just possible but also manageable within an object structure.
Function context and dynamic variables
Context-specific variables using this
Use constructor functions or class
syntax combined with the new
keyword to create multiple instances, each containing a set of dynamic variables:
Such encapsulation of dynamic properties within each instance prevents the pollution of the global scope.
Creating dynamic global variables
In a browser environment, the global window
object is available; use it to manipulate global variables dynamically:
Why avoid eval()
While eval()
allows creating dynamic variables, it also introduces both security risks and performance hits, hence it's advisable to stick to objects and their inherent dynamic key-value storage capability.
Handling dynamic data
Mass Creation of dynamic variables
Use a loop to create more dynamic variables at once:
Using template literals for property names
Since ES6, we've had the chance to witness the elegance of creating property names with template literals:
Nifty tricks with Proxy
Apply the Proxy
object to create a wrapper for another object, intercepting default operations such as property lookup and assignment, function invocation, and others:
Points of attention
Scope considerations
Be wary of variables leaking into the global scope due to function scope peculiarities in JavaScript. Prevent unexpected behavior - declare your variables with var
, let
, or const
.
Refactoring and readability concerns
Dynamic variable names risk making code more complex to refactor and less readable. Make sure to annotate your intentions clearly and to utilize this functionality judiciously.
Influence on performance
While handy, these dynamic patterns can cause performance degradation if used improperly or excessively, especially in a global context. Hence, always use and test these patterns thoughtfully.
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