4 ways of finding elements in a JavaScript Array

4 ways of finding elements in a JavaScript Array

Arrays are the building blocks for data-based web apps. We can store and manipulate data using an Array easily.

Today, we are going to see 4 ways to find an element in an Array, along with some use cases explained with examples.

I know, I know...


find

the find method returns the first item that returns true for the passed callback condition, otherwise returns undefined if all items return false for the callback condition.

const numbers = [1, 3, 4, 6, 10];

numbers.find(element => element > 6); // 10

numbers.find(element => element > 10); // undefined

findIndex

the findIndex method returns the index of the first item that returns true for the passed callback condition, otherwise returns -1 if all items return false for the callback condition.

const numbers = [1, 3, 4, 6, 10];

numbers.findIndex(element => element > 6); // 4

numbers.findIndex(element => element > 10); // -1

The find methods are useful when you don't know exactly what you're looking for. But, you know a way to identify it.


indexOf

the indexOf method returns the index of the first item that matches the passed element, otherwise returns -1.

const numbers = [1, 3, 4, 6, 10];

numbers.indexOf(10); // 4

numbers.indexOf(16); // -1

The indexOf uses the same comparison logic as ===


lastIndexOf

the lastIndexOf methods similar to indexOf we saw above, the only difference being it starts the look up from the tail end of the array.

So, it's a good idea to use lastIndexOf if you know that the element has a higher chance of being in the latter half.

const numbers = [1, 3, 4, 6, 10];

numbers.lastIndexOf(10); // 4

numbers.lastIndexOf(16); // -1

The indexOf methods are useful when you know exactly what you're looking for.


Summary

To summarise, I would suggest using

  • find, when you don't know what you're looking for but you know how it should look.
  • findIndex, to get the index of the element.
  • indexOf, when you know exactly what you're looking for, and want the index of the element.
  • lastIndexOf, when you know what you're looking for, you know it's somewhere at the end, and want the index of the element.

That's it for now. I hope you find this article helpful! Should you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to put them in the comments below.

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Until next time


Resources

MDN docs

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