How do I check if an array includes a value in JavaScript array?

Asked : Nov 17

Viewed : 59 times

What is the short and efficient way to find out if a JavaScript array contains a value?

This is the only way I know to do it in JavaScript array:

function contains(x, obj) {
   for (var i = 0; i < x.length; i++) {
       if (x[i] === obj) {
           return true;
       }
   }
   return false;
}

Is there a better and more short way to achieve this?

javascript javascript-array javascript-objects

Nov 17

Shep Master

4 Answers

Active Oldest Voted

There are mainly two main methods to check if a value is available or not available in the JavaScript array?

includes()
indexOf()

Both are widely used methods in javascript.

Both have different functionality and use. let's checkout with and simple example.

1. Javascript array includes()

This method includes() is used to find out whether the element is included in the Javascript array or not. It returns a boolean value — true or false.

console.log(['joee', 'janee', 'marye'].includes('janee')); //true

2. Javascript array indexOf()

We use indexOf() to find out whether the element is present in the array or not. But it doesn’t return a boolean. It returns the first index of the element found in the array, or it will return -1 (which represents that the element is not found).

console.log(['joee', 'janee', 'marye'].indexOf('janee') >= 0);

Conclusion

We would suggest using the includes() method to check if the element is available in the Javascript array. It will return element or value is available or not in the array (true or false).

If you need to know where the element is in the Javascript array, you need to use the indexOf() method. It will return the position of an element in the array.

answered Jan 04

Gabriele Martelli

indexOf maybe, It may not be present in other implementations of the standard."

Example:

[1, 2, 3].indexOf(1) => 0
["foo", "bar", "baz"].indexOf("bar") => 1
[1, 2, 3].indexOf(4) => -1

answered Jan 04

aeXuser264

If you are checking repeatedly for the existence of an object in an array you should maybe look into

Keeping the array sorted at all times by doing insertion sort in your array (put new objects in the right place)
Use a binary search lookup in your contains(a, obj) and.
Make updating objects as remove + sorted insert operation.

answered Jan 04

Suragch

JavaScript Array includes()

Examples

const fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
fruits.includes("Mango");

Start the search at position 3:

const fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
fruits.includes("Banana", 3);

Syntax

array.includes(element, start)

Parameters

element: Required. The value to search for.

start: Required. Start position. Default is 0.

Return Value

true if the value is found, otherwise false.

Definition and Usage

The includes() method returns true if an array contains a specified value.The includes() the method is case-sensitive.The includes() method returns false if the value is not found.

answered Jan 04

felipezkn

Browse other questions tagged javascript javascript-array javascript-objects or ask your own question.