We Keep Coding

Js how to set an item at a nested index in an empty array [duplicate]

I hope someone can help me with this Javascript.
I have an Object called "Settings" and I would like to write a function that adds new settings to that object.
The new setting's name and value are provided as strings. The string giving the setting's name is then split by the underscores into an array. The new setting should get added to the existing "Settings" object by creating new nested objects with the names given by each part of the array, except the last part which should be a string giving the setting's value. I should then be able to refer to the setting and e.g. alert its value. I can do this in a static way like this...
var Settings = {};
var newSettingName = "Modules_Video_Plugin";
var newSettingValue = "JWPlayer";
var newSettingNameArray = newSettingName.split("_");
Settings[newSettingNameArray[0]] = {};
Settings[newSettingNameArray[0]][newSettingNameArray[1]] = {};
Settings[newSettingNameArray[0]][newSettingNameArray[1]][newSettingNameArray[2]] = newSettingValue;
alert(Settings.Modules.Mediaplayers.Video.Plugin);
... the part that creates the nested objects is doing this ...
Settings["Modules"] = {};
Settings["Modules"]["Video"] = {};
Settings["Modules"]["Video"]["Plugin"] = "JWPlayer";
However, as the number of parts that make up the setting name can vary, e.g. a newSettingName could be "Modules_Floorplan_Image_Src", I'd like to do this dynamically using a function such as...
createSetting (newSettingNameArray, newSettingValue);
function createSetting(setting, value) {
// code to create new setting goes here
}
Can anyone help me work out how to do this dynamically?
I presume there has to be a for...loop in there to itterate through the array, but I haven't been able to work out a way to create the nested objects.
If you've got this far thanks very much for taking the time to read even if you can't help.

Put in a function, short and fast (no recursion).
var createNestedObject = function( base, names ) {
for( var i = 0; i < names.length; i++ ) {
base = base[ names[i] ] = base[ names[i] ] || {};
}
};
// Usage:
createNestedObject( window, ["shapes", "triangle", "points"] );
// Now window.shapes.triangle.points is an empty object, ready to be used.
It skips already existing parts of the hierarchy. Useful if you are not sure whether the hierarchy was already created.
Or:
A fancier version where you can directly assign the value to the last object in the hierarchy, and you can chain function calls because it returns the last object.
// Function: createNestedObject( base, names[, value] )
// base: the object on which to create the hierarchy
// names: an array of strings contaning the names of the objects
// value (optional): if given, will be the last object in the hierarchy
// Returns: the last object in the hierarchy
var createNestedObject = function( base, names, value ) {
// If a value is given, remove the last name and keep it for later:
var lastName = arguments.length === 3 ? names.pop() : false;
// Walk the hierarchy, creating new objects where needed.
// If the lastName was removed, then the last object is not set yet:
for( var i = 0; i < names.length; i++ ) {
base = base[ names[i] ] = base[ names[i] ] || {};
}
// If a value was given, set it to the last name:
if( lastName ) base = base[ lastName ] = value;
// Return the last object in the hierarchy:
return base;
};
// Usages:
createNestedObject( window, ["shapes", "circle"] );
// Now window.shapes.circle is an empty object, ready to be used.
var obj = {}; // Works with any object other that window too
createNestedObject( obj, ["shapes", "rectangle", "width"], 300 );
// Now we have: obj.shapes.rectangle.width === 300
createNestedObject( obj, "shapes.rectangle.height".split('.'), 400 );
// Now we have: obj.shapes.rectangle.height === 400
Note: if your hierarchy needs to be built from values other that standard objects (ie. not {}), see also TimDog's answer below.
Edit: uses regular loops instead of for...in loops. It's safer in cases where a library modifies the Array prototype.

function assign(obj, keyPath, value) {
lastKeyIndex = keyPath.length-1;
for (var i = 0; i < lastKeyIndex; ++ i) {
key = keyPath[i];
if (!(key in obj)){
obj[key] = {}
}
obj = obj[key];
}
obj[keyPath[lastKeyIndex]] = value;
}
Usage:
var settings = {};
assign(settings, ['Modules', 'Video', 'Plugin'], 'JWPlayer');

My ES2015 solution. Keeps existing values.
const set = (obj, path, val) => {
const keys = path.split('.');
const lastKey = keys.pop();
const lastObj = keys.reduce((obj, key) =>
obj[key] = obj[key] || {},
obj);
lastObj[lastKey] = val;
};
Example:
const obj = {'a': {'prop': {'that': 'exists'}}};
set(obj, 'a.very.deep.prop', 'value');
console.log(JSON.stringify(obj));
// {"a":{"prop":{"that":"exists"},"very":{"deep":{"prop":"value"}}}}

Using ES6 is shorten. Set your path into an array.
first, you have to reverse the array, to start filling the object.
let obj = ['a','b','c'] // {a:{b:{c:{}}}
obj.reverse();
const nestedObject = obj.reduce((prev, current) => (
{[current]:{...prev}}
), {});

Another recursive solution:
var nest = function(obj, keys, v) {
if (keys.length === 1) {
obj[keys[0]] = v;
} else {
var key = keys.shift();
obj[key] = nest(typeof obj[key] === 'undefined' ? {} : obj[key], keys, v);
}
return obj;
};
Example usage:
var dog = {bark: {sound: 'bark!'}};
nest(dog, ['bark', 'loudness'], 66);
nest(dog, ['woff', 'sound'], 'woff!');
console.log(dog); // {bark: {loudness: 66, sound: "bark!"}, woff: {sound: "woff!"}}

I love this ES6 immutable way to set certain value on nested field:
const setValueToField = (fields, value) => {
const reducer = (acc, item, index, arr) => ({ [item]: index + 1 < arr.length ? acc : value });
return fields.reduceRight(reducer, {});
};
And then use it with creating your target object.
const targetObject = setValueToField(['one', 'two', 'three'], 'nice');
console.log(targetObject); // Output: { one: { two: { three: 'nice' } } }

Lodash has a _.set method to achieve this
let obj = {}
_.set(obj, ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd'], 'e')
or
_.set(obj, 'a.b.c.d', 'e')
// which generate the following object
{
"a": {
"b": {
"c": {
"d": "e"
}
}
}
}

Here is a simple tweak to jlgrall's answer that allows setting distinct values on each element in the nested hierarchy:
var createNestedObject = function( base, names, values ) {
for( var i in names ) base = base[ names[i] ] = base[ names[i] ] || (values[i] || {});
};
Hope it helps.

Here is a functional solution to dynamically create nested objects.
const nest = (path, obj) => {
const reversedPath = path.split('.').reverse();
const iter = ([head, ...tail], obj) => {
if (!head) {
return obj;
}
const newObj = {[head]: {...obj}};
return iter(tail, newObj);
}
return iter(reversedPath, obj);
}
Example:
const data = {prop: 'someData'};
const path = 'a.deep.path';
const result = nest(path, data);
console.log(JSON.stringify(result));
// {"a":{"deep":{"path":{"prop":"someData"}}}}

Inspired by ImmutableJS setIn method which will never mutate the original. This works with mixed array and object nested values.
function setIn(obj = {}, [prop, ...rest], value) {
const newObj = Array.isArray(obj) ? [...obj] : {...obj};
newObj[prop] = rest.length ? setIn(obj[prop], rest, value) : value;
return newObj;
}
var obj = {
a: {
b: {
c: [
{d: 5}
]
}
}
};
const newObj = setIn(obj, ["a", "b", "c", 0, "x"], "new");
//obj === {a: {b: {c: [{d: 5}]}}}
//newObj === {a: {b: {c: [{d: 5, x: "new"}]}}}

Appreciate that this question is mega old! But after coming across a need to do something like this in node, I made a module and published it to npm.
Nestob
var nestob = require('nestob');
//Create a new nestable object - instead of the standard js object ({})
var newNested = new nestob.Nestable();
//Set nested object properties without having to create the objects first!
newNested.setNested('biscuits.oblong.marmaduke', 'cheese');
newNested.setNested(['orange', 'tartan', 'pipedream'], { poppers: 'astray', numbers: [123,456,789]});
console.log(newNested, newNested.orange.tartan.pipedream);
//{ biscuits: { oblong: { marmaduke: 'cheese' } },
orange: { tartan: { pipedream: [Object] } } } { poppers: 'astray', numbers: [ 123, 456, 789 ] }
//Get nested object properties without having to worry about whether the objects exist
//Pass in a default value to be returned if desired
console.log(newNested.getNested('generic.yoghurt.asguard', 'autodrome'));
//autodrome
//You can also pass in an array containing the object keys
console.log(newNested.getNested(['chosp', 'umbridge', 'dollar'], 'symbols'));
//symbols
//You can also use nestob to modify objects not created using nestob
var normalObj = {};
nestob.setNested(normalObj, 'running.out.of', 'words');
console.log(normalObj);
//{ running: { out: { of: 'words' } } }
console.log(nestob.getNested(normalObj, 'random.things', 'indigo'));
//indigo
console.log(nestob.getNested(normalObj, 'improbable.apricots'));
//false

Inside your loop you can use lodash.set and will create the path for you:
...
const set = require('lodash.set');
const p = {};
const [type, lang, name] = f.split('.');
set(p, [lang, type, name], '');
console.log(p);
// { lang: { 'type': { 'name': '' }}}

try using recursive function:
function createSetting(setting, value, index) {
if (typeof index !== 'number') {
index = 0;
}
if (index+1 == setting.length ) {
settings[setting[index]] = value;
}
else {
settings[setting[index]] = {};
createSetting(setting, value, ++index);
}
}

I think, this is shorter:
Settings = {};
newSettingName = "Modules_Floorplan_Image_Src";
newSettingValue = "JWPlayer";
newSettingNameArray = newSettingName.split("_");
a = Settings;
for (var i = 0 in newSettingNameArray) {
var x = newSettingNameArray[i];
a[x] = i == newSettingNameArray.length-1 ? newSettingValue : {};
a = a[x];
}

I found #jlgrall's answer was great but after simplifying it, it didn't work in Chrome. Here's my fixed should anyone want a lite version:
var callback = 'fn.item1.item2.callbackfunction',
cb = callback.split('.'),
baseObj = window;
function createNestedObject(base, items){
$.each(items, function(i, v){
base = base[v] = (base[v] || {});
});
}
callbackFunction = createNestedObject(baseObj, cb);
console.log(callbackFunction);
I hope this is useful and relevant. Sorry, I've just smashed this example out...

You can define your own Object methods; also I'm using underscore for brevity:
var _ = require('underscore');
// a fast get method for object, by specifying an address with depth
Object.prototype.pick = function(addr) {
if (!_.isArray(addr)) return this[addr]; // if isn't array, just get normally
var tmpo = this;
while (i = addr.shift())
tmpo = tmpo[i];
return tmpo;
};
// a fast set method for object, put value at obj[addr]
Object.prototype.put = function(addr, val) {
if (!_.isArray(addr)) this[addr] = val; // if isn't array, just set normally
this.pick(_.initial(addr))[_.last(addr)] = val;
};
Sample usage:
var obj = {
'foo': {
'bar': 0 }}
obj.pick('foo'); // returns { bar: 0 }
obj.pick(['foo','bar']); // returns 0
obj.put(['foo', 'bar'], -1) // obj becomes {'foo': {'bar': -1}}

A snippet for those who need to create a nested objects with support of array keys to set a value to the end of path. Path is the string like: modal.product.action.review.2.write.survey.data. Based on jlgrall version.
var updateStateQuery = function(state, path, value) {
var names = path.split('.');
for (var i = 0, len = names.length; i < len; i++) {
if (i == (len - 1)) {
state = state[names[i]] = state[names[i]] || value;
}
else if (parseInt(names[i+1]) >= 0) {
state = state[names[i]] = state[names[i]] || [];
}
else {
state = state[names[i]] = state[names[i]] || {};
}
}
};

Set Nested Data:
function setNestedData(root, path, value) {
var paths = path.split('.');
var last_index = paths.length - 1;
paths.forEach(function(key, index) {
if (!(key in root)) root[key] = {};
if (index==last_index) root[key] = value;
root = root[key];
});
return root;
}
var obj = {'existing': 'value'};
setNestedData(obj, 'animal.fish.pet', 'derp');
setNestedData(obj, 'animal.cat.pet', 'musubi');
console.log(JSON.stringify(obj));
// {"existing":"value","animal":{"fish":{"pet":"derp"},"cat":{"pet":"musubi"}}}
Get Nested Data:
function getNestedData(obj, path) {
var index = function(obj, i) { return obj && obj[i]; };
return path.split('.').reduce(index, obj);
}
getNestedData(obj, 'animal.cat.pet')
// "musubi"
getNestedData(obj, 'animal.dog.pet')
// undefined

Try this: https://github.com/silkyland/object-to-formdata
var obj2fd = require('obj2fd/es5').default
var fd = obj2fd({
a:1,
b:[
{c: 3},
{d: 4}
]
})
Result :
fd = [
a => 1,
b => [
c => 3,
d => 4
]
]

Here is a decomposition to several useful functions, that each preserve existing data. Does not handle arrays.
setDeep: Answers question. Non-destructive to other data in the object.
setDefaultDeep: Same, but only sets if not already set.
setDefault: Sets a key if not already set. Same as Python's setdefault.
setStructure: Helper function that builds the path.
// Create a nested structure of objects along path within obj. Only overwrites the final value.
let setDeep = (obj, path, value) =>
setStructure(obj, path.slice(0, -1))[path[path.length - 1]] = value
// Create a nested structure of objects along path within obj. Does not overwrite any value.
let setDefaultDeep = (obj, path, value) =>
setDefault(setStructure(obj, path.slice(0, -1)), path[path.length - 1], value)
// Set obj[key] to value if key is not in object, and return obj[key]
let setDefault = (obj, key, value) =>
obj[key] = key in obj ? obj[key] : value;
// Create a nested structure of objects along path within obj. Does not overwrite any value.
let setStructure = (obj, path) =>
path.reduce((obj, segment) => setDefault(obj, segment, {}), obj);
// EXAMPLES
let temp = {};
// returns the set value, similar to assignment
console.log('temp.a.b.c.d:',
setDeep(temp, ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd'], 'one'))
// not destructive to 'one'
setDeep(temp, ['a', 'b', 'z'], 'two')
// does not overwrite, returns previously set value
console.log('temp.a.b.z: ',
setDefaultDeep(temp, ['a', 'b', 'z'], 'unused'))
// creates new, returns current value
console.log('temp["a.1"]: ',
setDefault(temp, 'a.1', 'three'))
// can also be used as a getter
console.log("temp.x.y.z: ",
setStructure(temp, ['x', 'y', 'z']))
console.log("final object:", temp)
I'm not sure why anyone would want string paths:
They are ambiguous for keys with periods
You have to build the strings in the first place

Since I started with something from this page, I wanted to contribute back
Other examples overwrote the final node even if it was set, and that wasn't what I wanted.
Also, if returnObj is set to true, it returns the base object. By default, falsy, it returns the deepest node.
function param(obj, path, value, returnObj) {
if (typeof path == 'string') path = path.split(".");
var child = obj;
path.forEach((key, i) => {
if (!(key in child)) {
child[key] = (i < path.length-1) ? {} : value || {};
}
child = child[key];
});
return returnObj ? obj : child;
}
var x = {};
var xOut = param(x, "y.z", "setting")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.z", "overwrite") // won't set
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2", true) // get object rather than deepest node.
console.log(xOut);
You can also do something where numeric keys are placed in arrays (if they don't already exist). Note that numeric keys won't convert to arrays for the first element of the path, since that's set by the type of your base-object.
function isNumber(n) {
return !isNaN(parseFloat(n)) && isFinite(n);
}
function param(obj, path, value, returnObj) {
if (typeof path == 'string') path = path.split(".");
var child = obj;
path.forEach((key, i) => {
var nextKey = path[i+1];
if (!(key in child)) {
child[key] = (nextKey == undefined && value != undefined
? value
: isNumber(nextKey)
? []
: {});
}
child = child[key];
});
return returnObj ? obj : child;
}
var x = {};
var xOut = param(x, "y.z", "setting")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.z", "overwrite") // won't set
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2", true) // get object rather than deepest node.
xOut = param(x, "1.0.2.a", "setting")
xOut = param(x, "1.0.1.a", "try to override") // won't set
xOut = param(x, "1.0.5.a", "new-setting", true) // get object rather than deepest node.
console.log(xOut);
Naturally, when the numeric keys are greater than 0, you might see some undefined gaps.
Practical uses of this might be
function AddNote(book, page, line) {
// assume a global global notes collection
var myNotes = param(allNotes, [book, page, line], []);
myNotes.push('This was a great twist!')
return myNotes;
}
var allNotes = {}
var youthfulHopes = AddNote('A Game of Thrones', 4, 2, "I'm already hooked, at least I won't have to wait long for the books to come out!");
console.log(allNotes)
// {"A Game of Thrones": [undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, [undefined, undefined, ["I'm already hooked, at least I won't have to wait long for the books to come out!"]]]}
console.log(youthfulHopes)
// ["I'm already hooked, at least I won't have to wait long for the books to come out!"]

function initPath(obj, path) {
path.split('.').reduce((o, key) => (
Object.assign(o, {[key]: Object(o[key])}),
o[key]
), obj);
return obj;
}
Usage
const obj = { a: { b: 'value1' } };
initPath(obj, 'a.c.d').a.c.d='value2';
/*
{
"a": {
"b": "value1",
"c": {
"d": "value2"
}
}
}
*/

simple answer. on es6, im using this
const assign = (obj, path, value) => {
let keyPath = path.split('.')
let lastKeyIndex = keyPath.length - 1
for (let i = 0; i < lastKeyIndex; ++i) {
let key = keyPath[i]
if (!(key in obj)) {
obj[key] = {}
}
obj = obj[key]
}
obj[keyPath[lastKeyIndex]] = value
}
example json
const obj = {
b: 'hello'
}
you can add new key
assign(obj, 'c.d.e', 'this value')
and you get like bellow
console.log(obj)
//response example
obj = {
b: 'hello',
c: {
d: {
e: 'this value'
}
}
}

function createObj(keys, value) {
let obj = {}
let schema = obj
keys = keys.split('.')
for (let i = 0; i < keys.length - 1; i++) {
schema[keys[i]] = {}
schema = schema[keys[i]]
}
schema[keys.pop()] = value
return obj
}
let keys = 'value1.value2.value3'
let value = 'Hello'
let obj = createObj(keys, value)

Eval is probably overkill but the result is simple to visualize, with no nested loops or recursion.
function buildDir(obj, path){
var paths = path.split('_');
var final = paths.pop();
for (let i = 1; i <= paths.length; i++) {
var key = "obj['" + paths.slice(0, i).join("']['") + "']"
console.log(key)
eval(`${key} = {}`)
}
eval(`${key} = '${final}'`)
return obj
}
var newSettingName = "Modules_Video_Plugin_JWPlayer";
var Settings = buildDir( {}, newSettingName );
Basically you are progressively writing a string "obj['one']= {}", "obj['one']['two']"= {} and evaling it;

JSON.stringify replacer - how to get full path

Replacer in below code write on console current processed field name
let a = { a1: 1, a2:1 }
let b = { b1: 2, b2: [1,a] }
let c = { c1: 3, c2: b }
let s = JSON.stringify(c, function (field,value) {
console.log(field); // full path... ???
return value;
});
However I would like to get full "path" to field (not only its name) inside replacer function - something like this
c1
c2
c2.b1
c2.b2
c2.b2[0]
c2.b2[1]
c2.b2[1].a1
c2.b2[1].a2
How to do it?

Decorator
replacerWithPath in snippet determine path using this (thanks #Andreas for this tip ), field and value and some historical data stored during execution (and this solution support arrays)
JSON.stringify(c, replacerWithPath(function(field,value,path) {
console.log(path,'=',value);
return value;
}));
function replacerWithPath(replacer) {
let m = new Map();
return function(field, value) {
let path= m.get(this) + (Array.isArray(this) ? `[${field}]` : '.' + field);
if (value===Object(value)) m.set(value, path);
return replacer.call(this, field, value, path.replace(/undefined\.\.?/,''))
}
}
// Explanation fo replacerWithPath decorator:
// > 'this' inside 'return function' point to field parent object
// (JSON.stringify execute replacer like that)
// > 'path' contains path to current field based on parent ('this') path
// previously saved in Map
// > during path generation we check is parent ('this') array or object
// and chose: "[field]" or ".field"
// > in Map we store current 'path' for given 'field' only if it
// is obj or arr in this way path to each parent is stored in Map.
// We don't need to store path to simple types (number, bool, str,...)
// because they never will have children
// > value===Object(value) -> is true if value is object or array
// (more: https://stackoverflow.com/a/22482737/860099)
// > path for main object parent is set as 'undefined.' so we cut out that
// prefix at the end ad call replacer with that path
// ----------------
// TEST
// ----------------
let a = { a1: 1, a2: 1 };
let b = { b1: 2, b2: [1, a] };
let c = { c1: 3, c2: b };
let s = JSON.stringify(c, replacerWithPath(function(field, value, path) {
// "this" has same value as in replacer without decoration
console.log(path);
return value;
}));
BONUS: I use this approach to stringify objects with circular references here

There's just not enough information available in the replacer. These two objects have different shapes but produce the same sequence of calls:
let c1 = { c1: 3, c2: 2 };
let c2 = { c1: { c2: 3 } };
const replacer = function (field, value) {
console.log(field); // full path... ???
return value;
};
JSON.stringify(c1, replacer);
// logs c1, c2
JSON.stringify(c2, replacer);
// logs c1, c2
You'll have to write something yourself.

You can use custom walk function inside your replacer. Here's an example using a generator walk function:
const testObject = {a: 1, b: {a: 11, b: {a: 111, b: 222, c: 333}}, c: 3};
function* walk(object, path = []) {
for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(object)) {
yield path.concat(key);
if (typeof value === 'object') yield* walk(value, path.concat(key));
}
}
const keyGenerator = walk(testObject);
JSON.stringify(testObject, (key, value) => {
const fullKey = key === '' ? [] : keyGenerator.next().value;
// fullKey contains an array with entire key path
console.log(fullKey, value);
return value;
});
Console output:
fullKey | value
-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------
[] | {"a":1,"b":{"a":11,"b":{"a":111,"b":222,"c":333}},"c":3}
["a"] | 1
["b"] | {"a":11,"b":{"a":111,"b":222,"c":333}}
["b", "a"] | 11
["b", "b"] | {"a":111,"b":222,"c":333}
["b", "b", "a"] | 111
["b", "b", "b"] | 222
["b", "b", "c"] | 333
["c"] | 3
This works, assuming the algorithm in replacer is depth-first and consistent across all browsers.

Something like that. You need to adjust it for arrays. I think that you can do it yourself. The idea is clear.
let a = { a1: 1, a2:1 }
let b = { b1: 2, b2: [1,a] }
let c = { c1: 3, c2: b }
function iterate(obj, path = '') {
for (var property in obj) {
if (obj.hasOwnProperty(property)) {
if (typeof obj[property] == "object") {
iterate(obj[property], path + property + '.');
}
else {
console.log(path + property);
}
}
}
}
iterate(c)

Based on the other answers I have this function which adds a third path argument to the call of replacer:
function replacerWithPath(replacer) {
const m = new Map();
return function (field, value) {
const pathname = m.get(this);
let path;
if (pathname) {
const suffix = Array.isArray(this) ? `[${field}]` : `.${field}`;
path = pathname + suffix;
} else {
path = field;
}
if (value === Object(value)) {
m.set(value, path);
}
return replacer.call(this, field, value, path);
}
}
// Usage
function replacer(name, data, path) {
// ...
}
const dataStr = JSON.stringify(data, replacerWithPath(replacer));
BONUS:
I also created this function to iterate through an object in depth and to be able to use the replace function like with JSON.stringify.
The third argument to true will keep undefined values and empty objects.
It can be handy to modify and ignore values while iterating through an object, it returns the new object (without stringify).
function walkWith(obj, fn, preserveUndefined) {
const walk = objPart => {
if (objPart === undefined) {
return;
}
let result;
// TODO other types than object
for (const key in objPart) {
const val = objPart[key];
let modified;
if (val === Object(val)) {
modified = walk(fn.call(objPart, key, val));
} else {
modified = fn.call(objPart, key, val);
}
if (preserveUndefined || modified !== undefined) {
if (result === undefined) {
result = {};
}
result[key] = modified;
}
}
return result;
};
return walk(fn.call({ '': obj }, '', obj));
}
BONUS 2:
I use it to transform a data object coming from a form submission and containing files / arrays of files in mixed multipart, files + JSON.
function toMixedMultipart(data, bodyKey = 'data', form = new FormData()) {
const replacer = (name, value, path) => {
// Simple Blob
if (value instanceof Blob) {
form.append(path, value);
return undefined;
}
// Array of Blobs
if (Array.isArray(value) && value.every(v => (v instanceof Blob))) {
value.forEach((v, i) => {
form.append(`${path}[${i}]`, v);
});
return undefined;
}
return value;
};
const dataStr = JSON.stringify(data, replacerWithPath(replacer));
const dataBlob = new Blob([dataStr], { type: 'application/json' });
form.append(bodyKey, dataBlob);
return form;
}

Shorthand to manipulate an object attribute and reassign

I have a deeply nested object and I want to manipulate a value of it and reassign it again. Is there a shorthand way for this other than writing it all out again or assigning it to a variable:
createStops[idx]['place']['create'][stop][key][value] = createStops[idx]['place']['create'][stop][key][value].toString()
looks ugly doesn't it? Something like:
createStops[idx]['place']['create'][stop][key][value].toStringAndReassign()
but JS built in.
Edit: In my case it is a number, if it's for your case too please check out #MarkMeyer answer.

No, there isn't.
Assigning a new value requires an assignment.
Strings are immutable, so you can't convert an existing value into a string in-place.

Given a value that's a number, if you just want it to be a string, you can coerce to a string with an assignment operator:
let o = {
akey: {
akey:{
value: 15
}
}
}
o.akey.akey.value += ''
console.log(o)

No,
Going to the same index is needed to store the value

Although it is not possible as mentioned by #Quentin you can define a custom getter in your object like:
var foo = {
a: 5,
b: 6,
get c () {
return this.b.toString()+' text'
}
};
console.log(foo.c);
You're not reassigning the value as you are semantically formatting your values. In order to format your value you are mutating your initial object. If you do not pretend to modify an object for formatting purposes that will work just fine.

You do not have integrated functions to use like that, but you could use of some utilitary functions of your own to help you manage assignements and make it less verbal.
SPOIL : The final use look like
// call the function to do +1 at the specified key
executeFunctionAtKey(
// The object to change the value on
createStops,
// The path
`${idx}.place.create.${stop}.${key}.${value}`,
// The thing to do
(x) => x + 1,
);
const createStops = {
idx: {
place: {
create: {
stop: {
key: {
value: 5,
},
},
},
},
},
};
const idx = 'idx';
const stop = 'stop';
const key = 'key';
const value = 'value';
// Function that go to the specified key and
// execute a function on it.
// The new value is the result of the func
// You can do your toString there, or anything else
function executeFunctionAtKey(obj, path, func) {
const keys = path.split('.');
if (keys.length === 1) {
obj[path] = func(obj[key]);
return obj;
}
const lastPtr = keys.slice(0, keys.length - 1).reduce((tmp, x) => tmp[x], obj);
lastPtr[keys[keys.length - 1]] = func(lastPtr[keys[keys.length - 1]]);
return obj;
}
// call the function to do +1 at the specified key
executeFunctionAtKey(
// The object to change the value on
createStops,
// The path
`${idx}.place.create.${stop}.${key}.${value}`,
// The thing to do
(x) => x + 1,
);
console.log(createStops);
with the toString example from Number to String
const createStops = {
idx: {
place: {
create: {
stop: {
key: {
value: 5,
},
},
},
},
},
};
const idx = 'idx';
const stop = 'stop';
const key = 'key';
const value = 'value';
// Function that go to the specified key and
// execute a function on it.
// The new value is the result of the func
// You can do your toString there, or anything else
function executeFunctionAtKey(obj, path, func) {
const keys = path.split('.');
if (keys.length === 1) {
obj[path] = func(obj[key]);
return obj;
}
const lastPtr = keys.slice(0, keys.length - 1).reduce((tmp, x) => tmp[x], obj);
lastPtr[keys[keys.length - 1]] = func(lastPtr[keys[keys.length - 1]]);
return obj;
}
// call the function to do +1 at the specified key
executeFunctionAtKey(
// The object to change the value on
createStops,
// The path
`${idx}.place.create.${stop}.${key}.${value}`,
// The thing to do
(x) => x.toString(),
);
console.log(createStops);

Theoretically you could build a function that takes an object, a path and the property to set it to.
This will reduce the readability of your code, so i would advice using ordinary assignment. But if you need it check out the snippet below:
//
function setProp(object, path, val) {
var parts = path.split("/").filter(function (p) { return p.length > 0; });
var pathIndex = 0;
var currentTarget = object;
while (pathIndex < parts.length - 1) {
currentTarget = currentTarget[parts[pathIndex]];
pathIndex++;
}
if (val instanceof Function) {
currentTarget[parts[pathIndex]] = val(currentTarget[parts[pathIndex]]);
}
else {
currentTarget[parts[pathIndex]] = val;
}
return object;
}
var createStops = {
idx: {
place: {
create: {
stop: {
key: {
value: 5
}
}
}
}
}
};
function toString(p) { return p.toString(); }
console.log(JSON.stringify(createStops, null, 4));
setProp(createStops, 'idx/place/create/stop/key/value', toString);
console.log(JSON.stringify(createStops, null, 4));
UPDATE 1
Allowed passing functions and used OP JSON structure for snippet

JavaScript Setting JSON element pointed by path

I would like to have a function which modify a value in my JSON object. The value is specified by path like in this example example:
setConfigItem(['node1','nodeA','value1A'], 1234);
Currently I am using a following function:
var setConfigItem = function(path, value) {
if (path.length == 1)
config[path[0]] = value;
if (path.length == 2)
config[path[0]][path[1]] = value;
if (path.length == 3)
config[path[0]][path[1]][path[2]] = value;
// ...
throw {name : "NotImplementedError", message : "too lazy to implement more"};
}
What would be a better and generic solution?

Simple recursive solution
var config = {node1: {nodeA: {value1A: 0}}};
function setConfigItem(config, path, value) {
if (path.length == 1) {
config[path[0]] = value;
} else {
setConfigItem(config[path[0]], path.slice(1), value);
}
}
setConfigItem(config, ['node1','nodeA','value1A'], 1234);
console.log(config);

You can use Array#reduce to set your value dynamically using your path array.
Reduce will fold an array to a single value, we are seeding the reduce function with our object so each iteration we return currentObject[key] until we get to our desired key where we set the value.
const config = {
node1: {
nodeA: {
value1A: 4657
}
}
}
const setConfigItem = (path, value, obj) => {
// reduce the path array, each iteration dig further into the object properties
path.reduce((accumulator, key, i) => {
// if you are at the final key set the value
if (i === path.length - 1) {
accumulator[key] = value
return accumulator
}
// test to see if there is a property
if (typeof accumulator[key] === 'undefined') {
throw new Error('Nothing to see here')
}
// return the next level down
return accumulator[key]
}, obj)
// return the original object
return obj
}
console.log('before', config)
setConfigItem(['node1','nodeA','value1A'], 1234, config)
console.log('after', config)
expect('mutate given object with value', () => {
const obj = { a: 1 }
assert(setConfigItem(['a'], 2, obj)).deepEqual({ a: 2 })
assert(setConfigItem(['a'], 2, obj)).strictEqual(obj)
})
<script src="https://codepen.io/synthet1c/pen/KyQQmL.js"></script>

A simple imperative solution:
const obj = {a: {b: {c: 1}}}
function updateAt(object, path, value) {
let o = object;
for(var i = 0; i < path.length; i++){
if(i < path.length - 1){
o = o[path[i]];
}
else{
o[path[i]] = value;
}
}
}
updateAt(obj, ['a', 'b', 'c'], 2);
console.log(obj);

You can use _.set() from Lodash:
let object = { a: { b: { c: 1 } } };
_.set(object, ['a', 'b', 'c'], 5);
console.log(object);
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lodash.js/4.17.4/lodash.min.js"></script>

Reaching into object from array in javascript?

How can I reach into a object using an array and set a value - preferably without using eval, doing something like object[eval(["key", "deepkey"].split("")) = "newvalue"?
Doing it manually, I would just do object.key.deepkey = "newvalue", but again, I need to do this using an array to reach into the right property.
The object for reference:
object = {
key: {
deepKey: "value"
}
}

You can use a recursive function to step through each level of the array (or object) like so:
function val(array, indices) {
if(indices.length > 1) {
var idx = indices.shift();
return val(array[idx], indices);
}
else {
return array[indices.shift()];
}
}
var obj = { a: { b: 'c' } };
//result is 'c'
var result = val(obj, ['a', 'b']);
If you want to get an object reference, simply specify the second arg only up to that:
var obj = {
a: {
b: {
c: 'foo'
}
}
};
var ref = val(obj, ['a', 'b']);
//ref is now obj.a.b, so you can do something like...
ref.x = 'bar';
console.dir(ref); //outputs something like { c: 'foo', x: 'bar' }

You can write array type syntax as. jsfiddle
object = {
key: {
deepKey: "value"
}
}
object['key']['deepkey']='newvalue'
if you have keys in array you can do this
var keys = ['key','deepkey'];
var obj = object;
for(var k =0; k <keys.length-1; k++){
obj= obj[keys[k]];
}
obj[keys[k]] = 'newvalue'

You can take the function from this question and rework it to access properties of an object.
http://jsfiddle.net/jbabey/Mu4rP/
var getPropByName = function (propName, context) {
var namespaces = propName.split('.');
for(var i = 0; i < namespaces.length; i++) {
context = context[namespaces[i]];
}
return context;
};
var myObject = {
someKey: {
deepKey: "value"
}
};
myObject.someKey.deepKey; // "value"
getPropByName('someKey.deepKey', myObject); "value"

An alternative could be using Array.map this way:
function deepkey(obj,keys,set){
var i=1
,kys = keys.split('.')
,exist = kys.map( function(k){
var prev = this[i-1], isobj = prev.constructor === Object;
this.push( isobj && k in prev ? prev[k] : prev);
return (i++,this[i-1]);},
[obj]
)
,x = exist[exist.length-2];
if (x && x.constructor === Object && set){
x[kys[kys.length-1]] = set;
}
return x[kys.pop()] || null;
}
// usage
var obj = { a:{ b:{ c:1, cc:{ d:{ e:{ a:1,b:2,c:3 } } } } } };
// assign [1,2,3,4,5] to obj.a.b.cc.d.e.b
console.log(deepkey(obj,'a.b.cc.d.e.b',[1,2,3,4,5])); //=> [1,2,3,4,5]
// get obj.a.b.cc.d.e.b[2]
console.log(deepkey(obj,'a.b.cc.d.e.b')[2]); //=> 3
// get non existing path obj.a.b.c.d.e.b
console.log(deepkey(obj,'a.b.c.d.e.b')); //=> null