Javascript is a widespread used technology for finding solutions to problems. At one point or the other in our problem solving process, we need to manipulate data to achieve a goal. Here we want to convert a string to an array.
What is a string?
A string is a series of characters like alphabets, number, special characters etc. A string is enclosed in a quote, either single quotes or double quotes.
What is an array?
An array is identified by the box-bracket [ ]. An array can enclose a set of strings or numbers as the case may be. It is used to store different elements.
How do we convert a string to an Array in Javascript?**
There are four 'well-known' approach to achieve this. Which are;
- The javascript Array.from method
- Split method
- Object.assign method
- Spread operator
Let's declare a string as an example here;
const string = 'word';
Array.from method: The Array from method is a javascript method used to convert a string to an array. It let's you shallow-copied Array instance from an array-like or iterable object.
The syntax is
Array.from(string);string: is the declared const string above.
Split method: The Javascript split method divides a String into an ordered list of substrings and put's it in an array-like structure
The syntax is
string.split('');string: is the declared const string above.
Object.assign method: This takes in two values which is the and empty array and the declared string.
The syntax is
Object.assign([], string);Spread operator: This is commonly used to make shallow copies of Javascript objects. It takes in an iterable object and expands it into individual elements.
The syntax is
[...string];string: is the declared const string above.
The above approaches results in :
// ['w', 'o', 'r', 'd']
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to note that converting an empty string to an array results in an empty array. You can try it out in your browser console or any terminal that runs Javascript codes.