Array.slice vs. Array.splice: Clearing Up the Confusion

Introduction

As a JavaScript developer, I've often found two Array methods a bit tricky to grasp/fully

1. Array.slice
2. Array.splice.

So, I decided to dive deep and break down these methods with clear examples.

If I re-write the Syntax

Array.slice

returns the deleted elements in a form of Array = Array.prototype.slice(startIndex, endIndex-1);

Array.splice (P for Permanent - Always remember)

The splice method in JavaScript modifies the contents of an array by removing or replacing existing elements and/or adding new elements in place

Removing element Syntax

returns the deleted elements in a form of Array = Array.prototype.splice(startIndex, endIndex-1); // permanent 

Adding element Syntax

array.splice(startIndex, 0, item1, item2, ..., itemX);

NOTE:-

1. It changes the original array and returns the deleted array.

2. When it behaves as an add operation it returns [] as it is not removing anything.

let's see some examples:-

Q1. Exercise 1 - Using slice to get a part of an array: Create an array of numbers from 1 to 10. Use the slice method to get a new array that includes numbers from 4 to 8.

const arr = Array.from(Array(10), (_, i) => i+1);
console.log('Array --> ', arr);
console.log('get a new array that includes numbers from 4 to 8 --> ', arr.slice(3, 8)); // Array.prototype.slice(startIndex, endIndex-1);

// [ 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ]

Q2. Exercise 2 - Using splice to remove elements from an array: Create an array of fruits. Use the splice method to remove "apple" and "banana" from the array.

const fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'orange', 'mango', 'kiwi'];

fruits.splice(0, 2)// permanent

console.log('splice method to remove "apple" and "banana" from the array. --> ', fruits);

// [ 'orange', 'mango', 'kiwi' ]

Q3. Exercise 3 - Using splice to add elements to an array: Create an array of colors. Use the splice method to add "pink" and "purple" after "red".

const colors = ['red', 'green', 'blue'];

const y = colors.splice(1, 0, "pink", "purple"); /
console.log(y); // [] see above to see why.
console.log('splice method to add "pink" and "purple" after "red" --> ', colors)

// [ 'red', 'pink', 'purple', 'green', 'blue' ]

Q4. Exercise 4 - Using slice and splice together: Create an array of letters from 'a' to 'e'. Use slice to get a new array of the first three letters. Then use splice on the original array to remove these letters.

const letters = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e'];
const newSlice = letters.slice(0, 3);
const x = letters.splice(0, 3);
console.log(x);
console.log('slice to get a new array of the first three letters --> ', newSlice) // [ 'a', 'b', 'c' ]

console.log('Then use splice on the original array to remove these letters --> ', letters)[ 'd', 'e' ]

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any queries/concerns.

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