JavaScript variable number of arguments to function

Question

Is there a way to allow \"unlimited\" vars for a function in JavaScript?

Example:

load(var1, var2, var3, var4, var5, etc...)
load(var1)

Answer 1

I agree with Ken's answer as being the most dynamic and I like to take it a step further. If it's a function that you call multiple times with different arguments - I use Ken's design but then add default values:

function load(context) {

    var defaults = {
        parameter1: defaultValue1,
        parameter2: defaultValue2,
        ...
    };

    var context = extend(defaults, context);

    // do stuff
}

This way, if you have many parameters but don't necessarily need to set them with each call to the function, you can simply specify the non-defaults. For the extend method, you can use jQuery's extend method ($.extend()), craft your own or use the following:

function extend() {
    for (var i = 1; i < arguments.length; i++)
        for (var key in arguments[i])
            if (arguments[i].hasOwnProperty(key))
                arguments[0][key] = arguments[i][key];
    return arguments[0];
}

This will merge the context object with the defaults and fill in any undefined values in your object with the defaults.