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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;

Javascript: How to Get Object property using Array of string? [duplicate]

This question already has answers here:
Accessing nested JavaScript objects and arrays by string path
(44 answers)
Closed 5 years ago.
How do i get object property using array of string (name of properties)? (the last element in array is the inner property of object)
See the code below:
Handy way:
let myObject = {
"property": {
"subproperty": {
"targetproperty": "Hi, We done it!"
}
}
};
let myString = "property:subproperty:targetproperty";
let parts = myString.split( ":" );
console.log( myObject[ parts[ 0 ] ][ parts[ 1 ] ][ parts[ 2 ] ] ); // Output: "Hi, We done it!"
Eval way:
let myObject = {
"property": {
"subproperty": {
"targetproperty": "Hi, We done it!"
}
}
};
let myString = "property:subproperty:targetproperty";
let parts = myString.split( ":" );
let code = "myObject";
for ( let i = 0; i < parts.length; i++ ) {
code += "['" + parts[ i ] + "']";
}
code += ";";
console.log( code );
console.log( eval( code ) ); // Output: "Hi, We done it!"
Eval is evil. so i need a cleaner way to do it.
How do i do it without eval and handy job?

You can use .reduce():
let myObject = {
"property": {
"subproperty": {
"targetproperty": "Hi, We done it!"
}
}
};
let myString = "property:subproperty:targetproperty";
let value = myString.split(":").reduce(function(obj, prop) {
return obj && obj[prop];
}, myObject);
console.log(value);

For loop:
function getByValue(arr, value) {
for (var i=0, iLen=arr.length; i<iLen; i++) {
if (arr[i].b == value) return arr[i];
}
}
.filter
function getByValue2(arr, value) {
var result = arr.filter(function(o){return o.b == value;} );
return result? result[0] : null; // or undefined
}
.forEach
function getByValue3(arr, value) {
var result = [];
arr.forEach(function(o){if (o.b == value) result.push(o);} );
return result? result[0] : null; // or undefined
}
If, on the other hand you really did mean for..in and want to find an object with any property with a value of 6, then you must use for..in unless you pass the names to check. e.g.
function getByValue4(arr, value) {
var o;
for (var i=0, iLen=arr.length; i<iLen; i++) {
o = arr[i];
for (var p in o) {
if (o.hasOwnProperty(p) && o[p] == value) {
return o;
}
}
}
}

You can use a reduce solution:
var obj = {prop1: {prop2: {prop3: 'xpto'}}};
var props = ['prop1','prop2','prop3'];
var result = props.reduce((acc,val)=>acc[val],obj);
console.log(result);

The recursive way ;)
Create a function that takes the current property, allparts and index.
Start with zero, return call to next index, try read and return with next call and increment index untill there are no more props to read/extract then return the value you got as the current property.
Let me know if you need working code

Here is a recursive approach, it will return undefined if the property isn't found:
const getPath = (o, keyPath, delimiter = '.') => {
if (Array.isArray(keyPath)) {
keyPath = keyPath.join(delimiter)
}
// o might not be an object when called recursively
if(Object(o) === o) {
let keys = keyPath.split(delimiter);
let key = keys.shift();
if(o.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
if(keys.length) {
// there are more keys to check, call with attribute and remaining keys
return getPath(o[key], keys.join(delimiter), delimiter);
} else {
// no more keys to check and object does have property
return o[key];
}
}
// didn't early return from having the key above, object does not have property
return undefined;
} else if(keyPath.length === 0) {
// o is not an object, but there is no remaining keyPath, so we will assume we've unwound the stack
return o;
}
// not an object and keyLength is non-zero, object does not contain property
return undefined;
};
let myObject = {
"property": {
"subproperty": {
"targetproperty": "Hi, We done it!"
}
}
};
console.log(getPath(myObject, "property:subproperty:targetproperty", ":"));

You can loop through your parts array, accessing the value of each key in each iteration.
function valueFromPath(obj, path) {
for (var i = 0; i < path.length; ++i) {
obj = obj[path[i]];
}
return obj;
};
valueFromPath(myObject, parts);
You probably want to clone the object first, in case you are going to use it for something else.
Alternatively, you can use traverse. Specifically traverse#getpath.
traverse(myObject).get(parts);

You may do as follows;
function getNestedValue(o,...a){
var val = o;
for (var prop of a) val = typeof val === "object" &&
val !== null &&
val[prop] !== void 0 ? val[prop]
: undefined;
return val;
}
let myObject = {
"property": {
"subproperty": {
"targetproperty": "Hi, We done it!"
}
}
};
let myString = "property:subproperty:targetproperty";
console.log(getNestedValue(myObject, ...myString.split(":")));

Get element on any level of an object in Javasscript

Given the following:
var a = JSON.parse('{"fst":"data1","snd":{"ind2":"data2"}}');
var index = "fst";
var res = a[index]; //res = data1
var index2 = "????";
var res2 = a[index2]; //res = data2
what should I put on index2 so res2 equals data2?
I'm looking for a generic syntax that would let me grab an element at ANY level of the parsed json, just by modifying the index string.
(I'm looping through a list of elements from different places/levels of a json derived object to build a table)
Any help would be much appreciated

You need a function for that
function deepAccess( obj, str ) {
var parts = str.split("."),
cur = obj;
for( var i = 0; i < parts.length; ++i ) {
cur = cur[parts[i]];
}
return cur;
}
var index = "fst";
deepAccess( a, index ); //"data1"
index = "snd.ind2";
deepAccess( a, index ); //"data2"

You're accessing a property of a property, and the syntax reflects this:
var res = a['snd']['ind2'];
There is no way to directly grab the "nested" property directly. If you're allowed to change the original object, you could add shortcut accessors for each object:
//Credit goes to Esailja for the original
function deepAccess(obj) {
function nestedAccess(o, level) {
if (typeof o == "object") {
var level = level || "";
for (p in o) {
if (o.hasOwnProperty(p)) {
if (level && typeof(o[p]) != "object") {
obj[level + "." + p] = o[p];
}
nestedAccess(o[p], (level ? level + "." : "") + p);
}
}
}
}
nestedAccess(obj);
}
deepAccess(a);
a["snd.ind2"];

var someObject1 = {};
var someObject2 = {e01: '*', e02: {e03: '*', e04: '*'}, e05: '*'};
var someObject3 = {e01: {e02: {e03: '*'}}};
function setValueByPath(obj, path, value) {
var pathArray = path.split('.');
function goDownstears(o, chunk, val) {
var prop = chunk.shift();
if(!o.hasOwnProperty(prop)) o[prop] = {};
o[prop] = (chunk.length > 0) ? goDownstears(o[prop], chunk, val) : val;
return o;
}
obj = goDownstears(obj, pathArray, value);
}
setValueByPath(someObject1, 'e01.e02.e03', 'changed');
setValueByPath(someObject2, 'e02.e04', 'changed');
setValueByPath(someObject3, 'e01.e02.e03', 'changed');
setValueByPath(someObject3, 'e01.e02.e04', 'changed');
setValueByPath(someObject3, 'e02.e01.e01', 'changed');
console.log(someObject1);
console.log(someObject2);
console.log(someObject3);
My question was closed here set an object property with sugar like obj['level1.level2.leve3'] = value
See here http://jsfiddle.net/zafod/RDGwY
This issue is for setting a value, but you can just return an asked property througth iterations

Javascript HashTable use Object key

I want to create a hash table with Object keys that are not converted into String.
Some thing like this:
var object1 = new Object();
var object2 = new Object();
var myHash = new HashTable();
myHash.put(object1, "value1");
myHash.put(object2, "value2");
alert(myHash.get(object1), myHash.get(object2)); // I wish that it will print value1 value2
EDIT: See my answer for full solution

Here is a simple Map implementation that will work with any type of key, including object references, and it will not mutate the key in any way:
function Map() {
var keys = [], values = [];
return {
put: function (key, value) {
var index = keys.indexOf(key);
if(index == -1) {
keys.push(key);
values.push(value);
}
else {
values[index] = value;
}
},
get: function (key) {
return values[keys.indexOf(key)];
}
};
}
While this yields the same functionality as a hash table, it's not actually implemented using a hash function since it iterates over arrays and has a worst case performance of O(n). However, for the vast majority of sensible use cases this shouldn't be a problem at all. The indexOf function is implemented by the JavaScript engine and is highly optimized.

Here is a proposal:
function HashTable() {
this.hashes = {};
}
HashTable.prototype = {
constructor: HashTable,
put: function( key, value ) {
this.hashes[ JSON.stringify( key ) ] = value;
},
get: function( key ) {
return this.hashes[ JSON.stringify( key ) ];
}
};
The API is exactly as shown in your question.
You can't play with the reference in js however (so two empty objects will look like the same to the hashtable), because you have no way to get it. See this answer for more details: How to get javascript object references or reference count?
Jsfiddle demo: http://jsfiddle.net/HKz3e/
However, for the unique side of things, you could play with the original objects, like in this way:
function HashTable() {
this.hashes = {},
this.id = 0;
}
HashTable.prototype = {
constructor: HashTable,
put: function( obj, value ) {
obj.id = this.id;
this.hashes[ this.id ] = value;
this.id++;
},
get: function( obj ) {
return this.hashes[ obj.id ];
}
};
Jsfiddle demo: http://jsfiddle.net/HKz3e/2/
This means that your objects need to have a property named id that you won't use elsewhere. If you want to have this property as non-enumerable, I suggest you take a look at defineProperty (it's not cross-browser however, even with ES5-Shim, it doesn't work in IE7).
It also means you are limited on the number of items you can store in this hashtable. Limited to 253, that is.
And now, the "it's not going to work anywhere" solution: use ES6 WeakMaps. They are done exactly for this purpose: having objects as keys. I suggest you read MDN for more information: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/WeakMap
It slightly differs from your API though (it's set and not put):
var myMap = new WeakMap(),
object1 = {},
object2 = {};
myMap.set( object1, 'value1' );
myMap.set( object2, 'value2' );
console.log( myMap.get( object1 ) ); // "value1"
console.log( myMap.get( object2 ) ); // "value2"
Jsfiddle demo with a weakmap shim: http://jsfiddle.net/Ralt/HKz3e/9/
However, weakmaps are implemented in FF and Chrome (only if you enable the "Experimental javascript features" flag in chrome however). There are shims available, like this one: https://gist.github.com/1269991. Use at your own risk.
You can also use Maps, they may more suit your needs, since you also need to store primitive values (strings) as keys. Doc, Shim.

I took #Florian Margaine's suggestion to higher level and came up with this:
function HashTable(){
var hash = new Object();
this.put = function(key, value){
if(typeof key === "string"){
hash[key] = value;
}
else{
if(key._hashtableUniqueId == undefined){
key._hashtableUniqueId = UniqueId.prototype.generateId();
}
hash[key._hashtableUniqueId] = value;
}
};
this.get = function(key){
if(typeof key === "string"){
return hash[key];
}
if(key._hashtableUniqueId == undefined){
return undefined;
}
return hash[key._hashtableUniqueId];
};
}
function UniqueId(){
}
UniqueId.prototype._id = 0;
UniqueId.prototype.generateId = function(){
return (++UniqueId.prototype._id).toString();
};
Usage
var map = new HashTable();
var object1 = new Object();
map.put(object1, "Cocakola");
alert(map.get(object1)); // Cocakola
//Overriding
map.put(object1, "Cocakola 2");
alert(map.get(object1)); // Cocakola 2
// String key is used as String
map.put("myKey", "MyValue");
alert(map.get("myKey")); // MyValue
alert(map.get("my".concat("Key"))); // MyValue
// Invalid keys
alert(map.get("unknownKey")); // undefined
alert(map.get(new Object())); // undefined

Here is a proposal, combining #Florian's solution with #Laurent's.
function HashTable() {
this.hashes = [];
}
HashTable.prototype = {
constructor: HashTable,
put: function( key, value ) {
this.hashes.push({
key: key,
value: value
});
},
get: function( key ) {
for( var i = 0; i < this.hashes.length; i++ ){
if(this.hashes[i].key == key){
return this.hashes[i].value;
}
}
}
};
It wont change your object in any way and it doesn't rely on JSON.stringify.

I know that I am a year late, but for all others who stumble upon this thread, I've written the ordered object stringify to JSON, that solves the above noted dilemma: http://stamat.wordpress.com/javascript-object-ordered-property-stringify/
Also I was playing with custom hash table implementations which is also related to the topic: http://stamat.wordpress.com/javascript-quickly-find-very-large-objects-in-a-large-array/
//SORT WITH STRINGIFICATION
var orderedStringify = function(o, fn) {
var props = [];
var res = '{';
for(var i in o) {
props.push(i);
}
props = props.sort(fn);
for(var i = 0; i < props.length; i++) {
var val = o[props[i]];
var type = types[whatis(val)];
if(type === 3) {
val = orderedStringify(val, fn);
} else if(type === 2) {
val = arrayStringify(val, fn);
} else if(type === 1) {
val = '"'+val+'"';
}
if(type !== 4)
res += '"'+props[i]+'":'+ val+',';
}
return res.substring(res, res.lastIndexOf(','))+'}';
};
//orderedStringify for array containing objects
var arrayStringify = function(a, fn) {
var res = '[';
for(var i = 0; i < a.length; i++) {
var val = a[i];
var type = types[whatis(val)];
if(type === 3) {
val = orderedStringify(val, fn);
} else if(type === 2) {
val = arrayStringify(val);
} else if(type === 1) {
val = '"'+val+'"';
}
if(type !== 4)
res += ''+ val+',';
}
return res.substring(res, res.lastIndexOf(','))+']';
}

Based on Peters answer, but with proper class design (not abusing closures), so the values are debuggable. Renamed from Map to ObjectMap, because Map is a builtin function. Also added the exists method:
ObjectMap = function() {
this.keys = [];
this.values = [];
}
ObjectMap.prototype.set = function(key, value) {
var index = this.keys.indexOf(key);
if (index == -1) {
this.keys.push(key);
this.values.push(value);
} else {
this.values[index] = value;
}
}
ObjectMap.prototype.get = function(key) {
return this.values[ this.keys.indexOf(key) ];
}
ObjectMap.prototype.exists = function(key) {
return this.keys.indexOf(key) != -1;
}
/*
TestObject = function() {}
testA = new TestObject()
testB = new TestObject()
om = new ObjectMap()
om.set(testA, true)
om.get(testB)
om.exists(testB)
om.exists(testA)
om.exists(testB)
*/

When you say you don't want your Object keys converted into Strings, I'm going to assume it's because you just don't want the entire code contents of your Objects being used as keys. This, of course, makes perfect sense.
While there is no "hash table" in Javascript per-se, you can accomplish what you're looking for by simply overriding your Object's prototype.toString and returning a valid key value that will be unique to each instance. One way to do this is with Symbol():
function Obj () {
this.symbol = Symbol() // Guaranteed to be unique to each instance
}
Obj.prototype.toString = function () {
return this.symbol // Return the unique Symbol, instead of Obj's stringified code
}
let a = new Obj()
let b = new Obj()
let table = {}
table[a] = 'A'
table[b] = 'B'
console.log(table) // {Symbol(): 'A', Symbol(): 'B'}
console.log(table[a]) // A
console.log(table[b]) // B

Using JSON.stringify() is completely awkward to me, and gives the client no real control over how their keys are uniquely identified. The objects that are used as keys should have a hashing function, but my guess is that in most cases overriding the toString() method, so that they will return unique strings, will work fine:
var myMap = {};
var myKey = { toString: function(){ return '12345' }};
var myValue = 6;
// same as myMap['12345']
myMap[myKey] = myValue;
Obviously, toString() should do something meaningful with the object's properties to create a unique string. If you want to enforce that your keys are valid, you can create a wrapper and in the get() and put() methods, add a check like:
if(!key.hasOwnProperty('toString')){
throw(new Error('keys must override toString()'));
}
But if you are going to go thru that much work, you may as well use something other than toString(); something that makes your intent more clear.
So a very simple proposal would be:
function HashTable() {
this.hashes = {};
}
HashTable.prototype = {
constructor: HashTable,
put: function( key, value ) {
// check that the key is meaningful,
// also will cause an error if primitive type
if( !key.hasOwnProperty( 'hashString' ) ){
throw( new Error( 'keys must implement hashString()' ) );
}
// use .hashString() because it makes the intent of the code clear
this.hashes[ key.hashString() ] = value;
},
get: function( key ) {
// check that the key is meaningful,
// also will cause an error if primitive type
if( !key.hasOwnProperty( 'hashString' ) ){
throw( new Error( 'keys must implement hashString()' ) );
}
// use .hashString() because it make the intent of the code clear
return this.hashes[ key.hashString() ];
}
};

Inspired by #florian, here's a way where the id doesn't need JSON.stringify:
'use strict';
module.exports = HashTable;
function HashTable () {
this.index = [];
this.table = [];
}
HashTable.prototype = {
constructor: HashTable,
set: function (id, key, value) {
var index = this.index.indexOf(id);
if (index === -1) {
index = this.index.length;
this.index.push(id);
this.table[index] = {};
}
this.table[index][key] = value;
},
get: function (id, key) {
var index = this.index.indexOf(id);
if (index === -1) {
return undefined;
}
return this.table[index][key];
}
};

I took #Ilya_Gazman solution and improved it by setting '_hashtableUniqueId' as a not enumerable property (it won't appear in JSON requests neither will be listed in for loops). Also removed UniqueId object, since it is enough using only HastTable function closure. For usage details please see Ilya_Gazman post
function HashTable() {
var hash = new Object();
return {
put: function (key, value) {
if(!HashTable.uid){
HashTable.uid = 0;
}
if (typeof key === "string") {
hash[key] = value;
} else {
if (key._hashtableUniqueId === undefined) {
Object.defineProperty(key, '_hashtableUniqueId', {
enumerable: false,
value: HashTable.uid++
});
}
hash[key._hashtableUniqueId] = value;
}
},
get: function (key) {
if (typeof key === "string") {
return hash[key];
}
if (key._hashtableUniqueId === undefined) {
return undefined;
}
return hash[key._hashtableUniqueId];
}
};
}

The best solution is to use WeakMap when you can (i.e. when you target browsers supporting it)
Otherwise you can use the following workaround (Typescript written and collision safe):
// Run this in the beginning of your app (or put it into a file you just import)
(enableObjectID)();
const uniqueId: symbol = Symbol('The unique id of an object');
function enableObjectID(): void {
if (typeof Object['id'] !== 'undefined') {
return;
}
let id: number = 0;
Object['id'] = (object: any) => {
const hasUniqueId: boolean = !!object[uniqueId];
if (!hasUniqueId) {
object[uniqueId] = ++id;
}
return object[uniqueId];
};
}
Then you can simply get a unique number for any object in your code (like if would have been for pointer address)
let objectA = {};
let objectB = {};
let dico = {};
dico[(<any>Object).id(objectA)] = "value1";
// or
dico[Object['id'](objectA);] = "value1";
// If you are not using typescript you don't need the casting
dico[Object.id(objectA)] = "value1"

I know I'm late, but here's a simple HashMap implementation:
Function.prototype.toJSON = Function.prototype.toString;
//taken from https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1249531/how-to-get-a-javascript-objects-class
function getNativeClass(obj) {
if (typeof obj === "undefined") return "undefined";
if (obj === null) return "null";
return Object.prototype.toString.call(obj).match(/^\[object\s(.*)\]$/)[1];
}
function globals() {
if (typeof global === "object") //node
return global;
return this;
}
function lookup(x) {
return globals()[x];
}
function getAnyClass(obj) {
if (typeof obj === "undefined") return "undefined";
if (obj === null) return "null";
return obj.constructor.name;
}
//taken from https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Errors/Cyclic_object_value#examples
var getCircularReplacer = () => {
const seen = new WeakSet();
return (key, value) => {
if (typeof value === "object" && value !== null) {
if (seen.has(value)) {
return "[Circular]";
}
seen.add(value);
}
return value;
};
};
function encode(x) {
if (typeof x === "object" && x !== null) {
var y = myClone(x);
x = Object.getPrototypeOf(x);
for (var i = 0; i < Object.getOwnPropertyNames(y).length; i++) { //Make enumerable
x[Object.getOwnPropertyNames(y)[i]] = y[Object.getOwnPropertyNames(y)[i]];
}
}
return getAnyClass(x) + " " + JSON.stringify(x, getCircularReplacer());
}
function decode(x) {
var a = x.split(" ").slice(1).join(" "); //OBJECT
if (typeof lookup(x.split(" ")[0])) {
return new (lookup(x.split(" ")[0]))(JSON.parse(a))
} else {
return JSON.parse(a);
}
}
//taken from https://github.com/feross/fromentries/blob/master/index.js
/*! fromentries. MIT License. Feross Aboukhadijeh <https://feross.org/opensource> */
function fromEntries(iterable) {
return [...iterable].reduce((obj, [key, val]) => {
obj[key] = val
return obj
}, {})
}
var toEnumerable = (obj) => {
return fromEntries(
Object.getOwnPropertyNames(obj).map(prop => [prop, obj[prop]])
);
};
//taken from https://stackoverflow.com/questions/41474986/how-to-clone-a-javascript-es6-class-instance
function myClone(instanceOfBlah) {
if (typeof instanceOfBlah !== "object" || !instanceOfBlah) { return instanceOfBlah; }
const clone = Object.assign({}, toEnumerable(instanceOfBlah));
const Blah = instanceOfBlah.constructor;
Object.setPrototypeOf(clone, Blah.prototype);
return clone;
}
function HashMap(a) {
if (typeof a === "undefined") {
a = [];
}
a = Array.from(a);
a = a.map((e) => [encode(e[0]), e[1]]);
this.a = a;
}
HashMap.from = function (a) {
var temp = myClone(a);
//convert to array
a = [];
for (var i = 0; i < Object.getOwnPropertyNames(temp).length; i++) {
a.push([Object.getOwnPropertyNames(temp)[i], temp[Object.getOwnPropertyNames(temp)[i]]]);
}
return new HashMap(a);
}
HashMap.prototype.put = function (x, y) {
this.a.push([encode(x), y]);
}
HashMap.prototype.get = function (x) {
var t1 = this.a.map((e) => e[0]);
return this.a[t1.indexOf(encode(x))][1];
}
HashMap.prototype.length = function () {
return this.a.length;
}
HashMap.prototype.toString = function () {
var result = [];
for (var i = 0; i < this.length(); i++) {
result.push(JSON.stringify(decode(this.a[i][0]), getCircularReplacer()) + " => " + this.a[i][1]);
}
return "HashMap {" + result + "}";
}
var foo = new HashMap();
foo.put("SQRT3", Math.sqrt(3));
foo.put({}, "bar");
console.log(foo.get({}));
console.log(foo.toString());
Note that it is ordered.
Methods:
put: Adds an item
get: Access an item
from (static): Convert from a JavaScript object
toString: Convert to string
Minified and without the test:
function getNativeClass(t){return void 0===t?"undefined":null===t?"null":Object.prototype.toString.call(t).match(/^\[object\s(.*)\]$/)[1]}function globals(){return"object"==typeof global?global:this}function lookup(t){return globals()[t]}function getAnyClass(t){return void 0===t?"undefined":null===t?"null":t.constructor.name}Function.prototype.toJSON=Function.prototype.toString;var getCircularReplacer=()=>{const t=new WeakSet;return(e,r)=>{if("object"==typeof r&&null!==r){if(t.has(r))return"[Circular]";t.add(r)}return r}};function encode(t){if("object"==typeof t&&null!==t){var e=myClone(t);t=Object.getPrototypeOf(t);for(var r=0;r<Object.getOwnPropertyNames(e).length;r++)t[Object.getOwnPropertyNames(e)[r]]=e[Object.getOwnPropertyNames(e)[r]]}return getAnyClass(t)+" "+JSON.stringify(t,getCircularReplacer())}function decode(t){var e=t.split(" ").slice(1).join(" ");return lookup(t.split(" ")[0]),new(lookup(t.split(" ")[0]))(JSON.parse(e))}function fromEntries(t){return[...t].reduce((t,[e,r])=>(t[e]=r,t),{})}var toEnumerable=t=>fromEntries(Object.getOwnPropertyNames(t).map(e=>[e,t[e]]));function myClone(t){if("object"!=typeof t||!t)return t;const e=Object.assign({},toEnumerable(t)),r=t.constructor;return Object.setPrototypeOf(e,r.prototype),e}function HashMap(t){void 0===t&&(t=[]),t=(t=Array.from(t)).map(t=>[encode(t[0]),t[1]]),this.a=t}HashMap.from=function(t){var e=myClone(t);t=[];for(var r=0;r<Object.getOwnPropertyNames(e).length;r++)t.push([Object.getOwnPropertyNames(e)[r],e[Object.getOwnPropertyNames(e)[r]]]);return new HashMap(t)},HashMap.prototype.put=function(t,e){this.a.push([encode(t),e])},HashMap.prototype.get=function(t){var e=this.a.map(t=>t[0]);return this.a[e.indexOf(encode(t))][1]},HashMap.prototype.length=function(){return this.a.length},HashMap.prototype.toString=function(){for(var t=[],e=0;e<this.length();e++)t.push(JSON.stringify(decode(this.a[e][0]),getCircularReplacer())+" => "+this.a[e][1]);return"HashMap {"+t+"}"};
Also, you can customize the encoder and decoder by changing encode and decode functions.
As in florian's answer, you can't play with the reference in js however (so two empty objects will look like the same to the hashtable).

class Dict{
constructor(){
this.keys = [];
this.values = [];
this.set = this.set.bind(this);
}
set(key, value){
this.keys.push(key);
this.values.push(value);
}
get(key){
return this.values[this.keys.indexOf(key)];
}
all(){
return this.keys.map((kk, ii)=>[kk, this.values[ii]]);
}
}
let d1 = new Dict();
let k1 = {1: 'a'};
d1.set(k1, 2);
console.log(d1.get(k1)); // 2
let k2 = {2: 'b'};
d1.set(k2, 3);
console.log(d1.all());
// [ [ { '1': 'a' }, 2 ], [ { '2': 'b' }, 3 ] ]

Just use the strict equality operator when looking up the object: ===
var objects = [];
objects.push(object1);
objects.push(object2);
objects[0] === object1; // true
objects[1] === object1; // false
The implementation will depend on how you store the objects in the HashTable class.

The $.param( ) inverse function in JavaScript / jQuery

Given the following form:
<form>
<input name="foo" value="bar">
<input name="hello" value="hello world">
</form>
I can use the $.param( .. ) construct to serialize the form:
$.param( $('form input') )
=> foo=bar&hello=hello+world
How can I deserialize the above String with JavaScript and get a hash back?
For example,
$.magicFunction("foo=bar&hello=hello+world")
=> {'foo' : 'bar', 'hello' : 'hello world'}
Reference: jQuery.param( obj ).

You should use jQuery BBQ's deparam function. It's well-tested and documented.

This is a slightly modified version of a function I wrote a while ago to do something similar.
var QueryStringToHash = function QueryStringToHash (query) {
var query_string = {};
var vars = query.split("&");
for (var i=0;i<vars.length;i++) {
var pair = vars[i].split("=");
pair[0] = decodeURIComponent(pair[0]);
pair[1] = decodeURIComponent(pair[1]);
// If first entry with this name
if (typeof query_string[pair[0]] === "undefined") {
query_string[pair[0]] = pair[1];
// If second entry with this name
} else if (typeof query_string[pair[0]] === "string") {
var arr = [ query_string[pair[0]], pair[1] ];
query_string[pair[0]] = arr;
// If third or later entry with this name
} else {
query_string[pair[0]].push(pair[1]);
}
}
return query_string;
};

How about this short functional approach?
function parseParams(str) {
return str.split('&').reduce(function (params, param) {
var paramSplit = param.split('=').map(function (value) {
return decodeURIComponent(value.replace(/\+/g, ' '));
});
params[paramSplit[0]] = paramSplit[1];
return params;
}, {});
}
Example:
parseParams("this=is&just=an&example") // Object {this: "is", just: "an", example: undefined}

My answer:
function(query){
var setValue = function(root, path, value){
if(path.length > 1){
var dir = path.shift();
if( typeof root[dir] == 'undefined' ){
root[dir] = path[0] == '' ? [] : {};
}
arguments.callee(root[dir], path, value);
}else{
if( root instanceof Array ){
root.push(value);
}else{
root[path] = value;
}
}
};
var nvp = query.split('&');
var data = {};
for( var i = 0 ; i < nvp.length ; i++ ){
var pair = nvp[i].split('=');
var name = decodeURIComponent(pair[0]);
var value = decodeURIComponent(pair[1]);
var path = name.match(/(^[^\[]+)(\[.*\]$)?/);
var first = path[1];
if(path[2]){
//case of 'array[level1]' || 'array[level1][level2]'
path = path[2].match(/(?=\[(.*)\]$)/)[1].split('][')
}else{
//case of 'name'
path = [];
}
path.unshift(first);
setValue(data, path, value);
}
return data;
}

I am using David Dorward's answer, and realized that it doesn't behave like PHP or Ruby on Rails how they parse the params:
1) a variable is only an array if it ends with [], such as ?choice[]=1&choice[]=12, not when it is ?a=1&a=2
2) when mulitple params exist with the same name, the later ones replaces the earlier ones, as on PHP servers (Ruby on Rails keep the first one and ignore the later ones), such as ?a=1&b=2&a=3
So modifying David's version, I have:
function QueryStringToHash(query) {
if (query == '') return null;
var hash = {};
var vars = query.split("&");
for (var i = 0; i < vars.length; i++) {
var pair = vars[i].split("=");
var k = decodeURIComponent(pair[0]);
var v = decodeURIComponent(pair[1]);
// If it is the first entry with this name
if (typeof hash[k] === "undefined") {
if (k.substr(k.length-2) != '[]') // not end with []. cannot use negative index as IE doesn't understand it
hash[k] = v;
else
hash[k.substr(0, k.length-2)] = [v];
// If subsequent entry with this name and not array
} else if (typeof hash[k] === "string") {
hash[k] = v; // replace it
// If subsequent entry with this name and is array
} else {
hash[k.substr(0, k.length-2)].push(v);
}
}
return hash;
};
which is tested fairly thoroughly.

I know this is an old thread, but maybe there is still some relevance in it?
Inspired by Jacky Li's good solution I tried a slight variation of my own with the objective to also be able to take care of arbitrary combinations of arrays and objects as input. I looked at how PHP would have done it and tried to get something "similar" going. Here is my code:
function getargs(str){
var ret={};
function build(urlnam,urlval,obj){ // extend the return object ...
var i,k,o=obj, x, rx=/\[([^\]]*)\]/g, idx=[urlnam.replace(rx,'')];
while (x=rx.exec(urlnam)) idx.push(x[1]);
while(true){
k=idx.shift();
if(k.trim()=='') {// key is empty: autoincremented index
if (o.constructor.name=='Array') k=o.length; // for Array
else if (o===obj ) {k=null} // for first level property name
else {k=-1; // for Object
for(i in o) if (+i>k) k=+i;
k++;
}
}
if(idx.length) {
// set up an array if the next key (idx[0]) appears to be
// numeric or empty, otherwise set up an object:
if (o[k]==null || typeof o[k]!='object') o[k]=isNaN(idx[0])?{}:[];
o=o[k]; // move on to the next level
}
else { // OK, time to store the urlval in its chosen place ...
// console.log('key',k,'val',urlval);
o[k]=urlval===""?null:urlval; break; // ... and leave the while loop.
}
}
return obj;
}
// ncnvt: is a flag that governs the conversion of
// numeric strings into numbers
var ncnvt=true,i,k,p,v,argarr=[],
ar=(str||window.location.search.substring(1)).split("&"),
l=ar.length;
for (i=0;i<l;i++) {if (ar[i]==="") continue;
p=ar[i].split("=");k=decodeURIComponent(p[0]);
v=p[1];v=(v!=null)?decodeURIComponent(v.replace(/\+/g,'%20')):'';
if (ncnvt && v.trim()>"" && !isNaN(v)) v-=0;
argarr.push([k,v]); // array: key-value-pairs of all arguments
}
for (i=0,l=argarr.length;i<l;i++) build(argarr[i][0],argarr[i][1],ret);
return ret;
}
If the function is called without the str-argument it will assume window.location.search.slice(1) as input.
Some examples:
['a=1&a=2', // 1
'x[y][0][z][]=1', // 2
'hello=[%22world%22]&world=hello', // 3
'a=1&a=2&&b&c=3&d=&=e&', // 4
'fld[2][]=2&fld[][]=3&fld[3][]=4&fld[]=bb&fld[]=cc', // 5
$.param({a:[[1,2],[3,4],{aa:'one',bb:'two'},[5,6]]}), // 6
'a[]=hi&a[]=2&a[3][]=7&a[3][]=99&a[]=13',// 7
'a[x]=hi&a[]=2&a[3][]=7&a[3][]=99&a[]=13'// 8
].map(function(v){return JSON.stringify(getargs(v));}).join('\n')
results in
{"a":2} // 1
{"x":{"y":[{"z":[1]}]}} // 2
{"hello":"[\"world\"]","world":"hello"} // 3
{"a":2,"b":null,"c":3,"d":null,"null":"e"} // 4 = { a: 2, b: null, c: 3, d: null, null: "e" }
{"fld":[null,null,[2],[3,4],"bb","cc"]} // 5
{"a":[[1,2],[3,4],{"aa":"one","bb":"two"},[5,6]]} // 6
{"a":["hi",2,null,[7,99],13]} // 7
{"a":{"0":2,"3":[7,99],"4":13,"x":"hi"}} // 8
Whereas Jacky Li's solution would produce the outer container for a as a plain object
{a:{"0":["1","2"],"1":["3","4"],"2":["5","6"]}} // 6: JackyLi's output
getargs() looks at the first given index for any level to determine whether this level will be an object (non-numeric index) or an array (numeric or empty), thus resulting in the output as shown in the listing bove (no. 6).
If the current object is an array then nulls get inserted wherever necessary to represent empty positions. Arrays are always consecutively numbered and 0-based).
Note, that in the example no. 8 the "autoincrement" for empty indices still works, even though we are dealing with an object now and not an array.
As far as I have tested it, my getargs() behaves pretty much identically to Chriss Roger's great jQuery $.deparam() plugin mentioned in the accepted answer. The main difference is that getargs runs without jQuery and that it does autoincrement in objects while $.deparam() will not do that:
JSON.stringify($.deparam('a[x]=hi&a[]=2&a[3][]=7&a[3][]=99&a[]=13').a);
results in
{"3":["7","99"],"x":"hi","undefined":"13"}
In $.deparam() the index [] is interpreted as an undefined instead of an autoincremented numerical index.

Here's how you could create a new jQuery function:
jQuery.unparam = function (value) {
var
// Object that holds names => values.
params = {},
// Get query string pieces (separated by &)
pieces = value.split('&'),
// Temporary variables used in loop.
pair, i, l;
// Loop through query string pieces and assign params.
for (i = 0, l = pieces.length; i < l; i++) {
pair = pieces[i].split('=', 2);
// Repeated parameters with the same name are overwritten. Parameters
// with no value get set to boolean true.
params[decodeURIComponent(pair[0])] = (pair.length == 2 ?
decodeURIComponent(pair[1].replace(/\+/g, ' ')) : true);
}
return params;
};

Thanks to him http://james.padolsey.com/javascript/parsing-urls-with-the-dom/
Pretty easy :D
function params_unserialize(p){
var ret = {},
seg = p.replace(/^\?/,'').split('&'),
len = seg.length, i = 0, s;
for (;i<len;i++) {
if (!seg[i]) { continue; }
s = seg[i].split('=');
ret[s[0]] = s[1];
}
return ret;}

This is really old question, but as i have coming - other people may coming to this post, and i want to a bit refresh this theme. Today no need to make custom solutions - there is URLSearchParams interface.
var paramsString = "q=URLUtils.searchParams&topic=api";
var searchParams = new URLSearchParams(paramsString);
//Iterate the search parameters.
for (let p of searchParams) {
console.log(p);
}
The only one limitation i know - this feature not supported in IE / Edge.

Here's my JavaScript implementation which I use in a server-side JScript ASP Classic page (demo):
// Transforms a query string in the form x[y][0][z][]=1 into {x:{y:[{z:[1]}]}}
function parseJQueryParams(p) {
var params = {};
var pairs = p.split('&');
for (var i=0; i<pairs.length; i++) {
var pair = pairs[i].split('=');
var indices = [];
var name = decodeURIComponent(pair[0]),
value = decodeURIComponent(pair[1]);
var name = name.replace(/\[([^\]]*)\]/g,
function(k, idx) { indices.push(idx); return ""; });
indices.unshift(name);
var o = params;
for (var j=0; j<indices.length-1; j++) {
var idx = indices[j];
var nextIdx = indices[j+1];
if (!o[idx]) {
if ((nextIdx == "") || (/^[0-9]+$/.test(nextIdx)))
o[idx] = [];
else
o[idx] = {};
}
o = o[idx];
}
idx = indices[indices.length-1];
if (idx == "") {
o.push(value);
}
else {
o[idx] = value;
}
}
return params;
}

I came up with this solution, which behaves like the .Net function HttpUtility.ParseQueryString.
In the result, the query string parameters are store in properties as lists of values, so that qsObj["param"] will be the same as calling GetValues("param") in .Net.
I hope you like it. JQuery not required.
var parseQueryString = function (querystring) {
var qsObj = new Object();
if (querystring) {
var parts = querystring.replace(/\?/, "").split("&");
var up = function (k, v) {
var a = qsObj[k];
if (typeof a == "undefined") {
qsObj[k] = [v];
}
else if (a instanceof Array) {
a.push(v);
}
};
for (var i in parts) {
var part = parts[i];
var kv = part.split('=');
if (kv.length == 1) {
var v = decodeURIComponent(kv[0] || "");
up(null, v);
}
else if (kv.length > 1) {
var k = decodeURIComponent(kv[0] || "");
var v = decodeURIComponent(kv[1] || "");
up(k, v);
}
}
}
return qsObj;
};
Here is how to use it:
var qsObj = parseQueryString("a=1&a=2&&b&c=3&d=&=e&");
To preview the result in the console juste type in:
JSON.stringify(qsObj)
Output:
"{"a":["1","2"],"null":["","b",""],"c":["3"],"d":[""],"":["e"]}"

There's a beautiful one-liner over at CSS-Tricks (original source from Nicholas Ortenzio):
function getQueryParameters(str) {
return (str || document.location.search).replace(/(^\?)/,'').split("&").map(function(n){return n = n.split("="),this[n[0]] = n[1],this}.bind({}))[0];
}
The really clever part is how it uses the anonymous function's this object, adding a key/value pair for each of the queries in the string. That said, there's some room for improvement. I've modified it a bit below, with the following changes:
Added handling of empty strings and non-string input.
Handled URI-encoded strings (%40->#, etc).
Removed the default use of document.location.search when the input was empty.
Changed the name, made it more readable, added comments.
function deparam(str) {
// Uses an empty 'this' to build up the results internally
function splitQuery(query) {
query = query.split('=').map(decodeURIComponent);
this[query[0]] = query[1];
return this;
}
// Catch bad input
if (!str || !(typeof str === 'string' || str instanceof String))
return {};
// Split the string, run splitQuery on each piece, and return 'this'
var queries = str.replace(/(^\?)/,'').split('&');
return queries.map(splitQuery.bind({}))[0];
}

use this :
// convert query string to json object
var queryString = "cat=3&sort=1&page=1";
queryString
.split("&")
.forEach((item) => {
const prop = item.split("=");
filter[prop[0]] = prop[1];
});
console.log(queryString);

This is my version in Coffeescript.
Also works for url like
http://localhost:4567/index.html?hello=[%22world%22]&world=hello#/home
getQueryString: (url)->
return null if typeof url isnt 'string' or url.indexOf("http") is -1
split = url.split "?"
return null if split.length < 2
path = split[1]
hash_pos = path.indexOf "#"
path = path[0...hash_pos] if hash_pos isnt -1
data = path.split "&"
ret = {}
for d in data
[name, val] = d.split "="
name = decodeURIComponent name
val = decodeURIComponent val
try
ret[name] = JSON.parse val
catch error
ret[name] = val
return ret

Here's a simple & compact one if you only want to quickly get the parameters from a GET request:
function httpGet() {
var a={},b,i,q=location.search.replace(/^\?/,"").split(/\&/);
for(i in q) if(q[i]) {b=q[i].split("=");if(b[0]) a[b[0]]=
decodeURIComponent(b[1]).replace(/\+/g," ");} return a;
}
It converts
something?aa=1&bb=2&cc=3
into an object like
{aa:1,bb:2,cc:3}

Creates a serialized representation of an array or object (can be used as URL query string for AJAX requests).
<button id='param'>GET</button>
<div id="show"></div>
<script>
$('#param').click(function () {
var personObj = new Object();
personObj.firstname = "vishal"
personObj.lastname = "pambhar";
document.getElementById('show').innerHTML=$.param(`personObj`));
});
</script>
output:firstname=vishal&lastname=pambhar

answers could use a bit of jQuery elegance:
(function($) {
var re = /([^&=]+)=?([^&]*)/g;
var decodeRE = /\+/g; // Regex for replacing addition symbol with a space
var decode = function (str) {return decodeURIComponent( str.replace(decodeRE, " ") );};
$.parseParams = function(query) {
var params = {}, e;
while ( e = re.exec(query) ) {
var k = decode( e[1] ), v = decode( e[2] );
if (k.substring(k.length - 2) === '[]') {
k = k.substring(0, k.length - 2);
(params[k] || (params[k] = [])).push(v);
}
else params[k] = v;
}
return params;
};
})(jQuery);
fork at https://gist.github.com/956897

You can use the function .serializeArray() (Link) of jQuery itself. This function returns an array of key-value pair. Result example:
[
{ name: "id", value: "1" },
{ name: "version", value: "100" }
]