What does Array.of() do?

JavaScriptJunior~1 min read

The Array.of() method creates a new array from any number of passed arguments, regardless of their type and count.

It solves one important inconsistency in the behavior of the Array() constructor.

Example:

javascript

const arr = Array.of(1, 2, 3);
console.log(arr); // [1, 2, 3]

Each argument becomes a separate element of the new array.

If you call Array() with a single number, it does not create an array with that number, but an empty array of the given length:

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Array(3);     // [ <3 empty items> ]
Array.of(3);  // [3]

Array.of() always creates the array "as is", while Array(3) treats 3 as "the length of the array".

javascript

Array.of(element1, element2, ..., elementN);

Parameter	Description
`elementN`	The elements that will go into the new array

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Array.of(5); // [5]

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Array.of(1, 2, "JS", true); // [1, 2, "JS", true]

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Array.of(); // []

Method	What it does
`Array.of()`	Creates an array from arguments
`Array.from()`	Creates an array from an iterable object (for example, a string, `Set`, `NodeList`)

Example of the difference:

javascript

Array.of("a", "b", "c");     // ["a", "b", "c"]
Array.from("abc");           // ["a", "b", "c"]

What it does	Creates an array from the passed values
Returns	A new array
Changes the source data	No
Solves the problem with `Array(number)`	Yes
Example	`Array.of(3)` -> `[3]`, not `[ <3 empty items> ]`

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