The answers that have no less that 2739 upvotes by now are misleading and incorrect.
The question is: "How do you empty your existing array?" E.g. for A = [1,2,3,4].
Saying "A = [] is the answer" is ignorant and absolutely incorrect. [] == [] is false.
This is because these two arrays are two separate, individual objects, with their own two identities, taking up their own space in the digital world, each on its own.
Let's say your mother asks you to empty the trash can.
- You don't bring in a new one as if you've done what you've been asked for.
- Instead, you empty the trash can.
- You don't replace the filled one with a new empty can, and you don't take the label "A" from the filled can and stick it to the new one as in
A = [1,2,3,4]; A = [];
Emptying an array object is the easiest thing ever:
A.length = 0;
This way, the can under "A" is not only empty, but also as clean as new!
Furthermore, you are not required to remove the trash by hand until the can is empty! You were asked to empty the existing one, completely, in one turn, not to pick up the trash until the can gets empty, as in:
while(A.length > 0) {
A.pop();
}
Nor, to put your left hand at the bottom of the trash, holding it with your right at the top to be able to pull its content out as in:
A.splice(0, A.length);
No, you were asked to empty it:
A.length = 0;
This is the only code that correctly empties the contents of a given JavaScript array.
