Javascript using variable as array name

Question

I have several arrays in Javascripts, e.g.

a_array[0] = \"abc\";
b_array[0] = \"bcd\";
c_array[0] = \"cde\";

I have a function which takes the arra

Answer 1

Why can't you just pass the array?

function perform(array){
    alert(array[0]);
}
perform(a_array);
perform(b_array);
perform(c_array);

Or am I misunderstanding the question...

Answer 2

You can either pass the array itself:

function perform(array) {
    alert(array[0]);
}
perform(a_array);

Or access it over this:

function perform(array_name) {
    alert(this[array_name][0]);
}
perform('a_array');

Answer 3

Instead of picking an array by eval'ing its name, store your arrays in an object:

all_arrays = {a:['abc'], b:['bcd'], c:['cde']};
function perform(array_name) {
    alert(all_arrays[array_name][0]);
}

Answer 4

I believe any variables you create are actually properties of the window object (I'm assuming since you used alert that this is running in a web browser). You can do this:

alert(window[array_name][0])

Answer 5

why don't you pass your array as your function argument?

function perform(arr){
    alert(arr[0]);
}