What is the Difference Between Pop and Splice in Javascript
When working with arrays in JavaScript, there are several built-in methods that can help you manipulate the data in various ways. Two of these methods, pop() and splice(), are commonly used to remove elements from an array. However, they function differently and are used in different situations. In this tutorial, we will discuss the differences between pop() and splice() in JavaScript.
Pop() Method
The pop() method is used to remove the last element from an array and returns that element. It modifies the original array, reducing its length by one.
Here’s an example of how to use the pop() method:
let array = ["apple", "banana", "orange"]; let lastElement = array.pop(); console.log(lastElement); // "orange" console.log(array); // ["apple", "banana"]
In this example, the pop() method is called on the array object, which removes the last element (“orange”) from the array and returns it. The lastElement variable now holds the value “orange”, and the array object has been modified to contain only the elements “apple” and “banana”.
Splice() Method
The splice() method is used to remove one or more elements from an array, starting at a specified index. It also modifies the original array, reducing its length by the number of elements removed.
Here’s an example of how to use the splice() method:
let array = ["apple", "banana", "orange", "mango", "grape"]; let removedElements = array.splice(2, 2); console.log(removedElements); // ["orange", "mango"] console.log(array); // ["apple", "banana", "grape"]
In this example, the splice() method is called on the array object, starting at index 2 and removing 2 elements (“orange” and “mango”) from variable now holds an array containing the removed elements, and the array object has been modified to contain only the elements “apple”, “banana”, and “grape”.
Difference Between Pop() and Splice() Methods
The main difference between the pop() and splice() methods is that pop() removes only the last element of the array, while splice() can remove one or more elements from any position in the array.
Another difference is that pop() returns the value of the removed element, while splice() returns an array containing the removed elements. Additionally, pop() modifies the original array by reducing its length by one, while splice() modifies the original array by reducing its length by the number of elements removed.
When to Use Pop() and Splice() Methods
Use the pop() method when you need to remove the last element of an array and don’t need to remove elements from any other position.
Use the splice() method when you need to remove one or more elements from any position in the array. You can also use splice() to insert new elements into the array at the same time.
In summary, pop() and splice() are two useful methods for removing elements from arrays in JavaScript. While they both modify the original array, they function differently and are used in different situations. Understanding the differences between these methods can help you choose the appropriate one for your specific use case.
