map Method (Array) (JavaScript)

Calls a defined callback function on each element of an array, and returns an array that contains the results.

Syntax

array1.map(callbackfn[, thisArg])  

Parameters

Return Value

A new array in which each element is the callback function return value for the associated original array element.

Exceptions

If the callbackfn argument is not a function object, a TypeError exception is thrown.

Remarks

The map method calls the callbackfn function one time for each element in the array, in ascending index order. The callback function is not called for missing elements of the array.

In addition to array objects, the map method can be used by any object that has a length property and that has numerically indexed property names.

Callback Function Syntax

The syntax of the callback function is as follows:

function callbackfn(value, index, array1)

You can declare the callback function by using up to three parameters.

The following table lists the callback function parameters.

Modifying the Array Object

The array object can be modified by the callback function.

The following table describes the results of modifying the array object after the map method starts.

Example

The following example illustrates the use of the map method.

// Define the callback function.  
function AreaOfCircle(radius) {  
    var area = Math.PI * (radius * radius);  
    return area.toFixed(0);  
}  

// Create an array.  
var radii = [10, 20, 30];  

// Get the areas from the radii.  
var areas = radii.map(AreaOfCircle);  

document.write(areas);  

// Output:  
// 314,1257,2827  

Example

The following example illustrates the use of the thisArg argument, which specifies an object to which the this keyword can refer.

// Define an object that contains a divisor property and  
// a remainder function.  
var obj = {  
    divisor: 10,  
    remainder: function (value) {  
        return value % this.divisor;  
    }  
}  

// Create an array.  
var numbers = [6, 12, 25, 30];  

// Get the remainders.  
// The obj argument specifies the this value in the callback function.  
var result = numbers.map(obj.remainder, obj);  
document.write(result);  

// Output:  
// 6,2,5,0  

Example

In the following example, a built-inJavaScript method is used as the callback function.

// Apply Math.sqrt(value) to each element in an array.  
var numbers = [9, 16];  
var result = numbers.map(Math.sqrt);  

document.write(result);  
// Output: 3,4  

Example

The map method can be applied to a string. The following example illustrates this.

// Define the callback function.  
function threeChars(value, index, str) {  
    // Create a string that contains the previous, current,  
    // and next character.  
    return str.substring(index - 1, index + 2);  
}  

// Create a string.  
var word = "Thursday";  

// Apply the map method to the string.  
// Each array element in the result contains a string that  
// has the previous, current, and next character.  
// The commented out statement shows an alternative syntax.  
var result = [].map.call(word, threeChars);  
// var result = Array.prototype.map.call(word, threeChars);  

document.write(result);  

// Output:  
// Th,Thu,hur,urs,rsd,sda,day,ay  

Requirements

Supported in the following document modes: Internet Explorer 9 standards, Internet Explorer 10 standards, and Internet Explorer 11 standards. Also supported in Store apps (Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.1). See Version Information.
Not supported in the following document modes: Quirks, Internet Explorer 6 standards, Internet Explorer 7 standards, Internet Explorer 8 standards.

See Also

JavaScript Methods
Array Object
Using Arrays
filter Method (Array)
forEach Method (Array)
Hilo JavaScript sample app (Windows Store)