Discovering JavaScript Primitives: How to Uncover Attributes like dir() in Python

Learn how to find all attributes of JavaScript primitives similar to Python's `dir()` function. Explore helpful methods to understand JavaScript primitive types better!
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Is there a way to find all the attributes of a primitive in JavaScript?

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Introduction to JavaScript Primitives

In programming, understanding data types is crucial for effective coding and debugging. JavaScript, a versatile programming language, has unique primitive data types that can sometimes seem elusive. Unlike in Python, where you can easily retrieve attributes of types using dir(), JavaScript has its own mechanisms for introspection.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find all attributes and methods of primitive data types in JavaScript similar to Python, you’re in the right place!

What Are JavaScript Primitives?

Before we dive into the solution, let's quickly recap what JavaScript primitives are. These are the most basic data types in JavaScript and include:

String: Represents textual data.

Number: Represents both integer and floating-point numbers.

BigInt: Represents whole numbers larger than 2^53 - 1.

Boolean: Represents a logical entity and can have two values: true and false.

Symbol: A unique and immutable data type often used as object property keys.

Undefined: Indicates a variable that has been declared but not assigned a value.

Null: Represents the intentional absence of any object value.

Finding Attributes of JavaScript Primitives

Step 1: Get the Prototype

First, you'll want to retrieve the prototype of the primitive type you're interested in. For example, to get the prototype for strings, use the following code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This code fetches the prototype associated with the string primitive, which contains all its methods and properties.

Step 2: Retrieve Property Names

Next, you can retrieve the names of all properties and methods in the prototype using:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This loop will print each property name along with its corresponding value, giving you a comprehensive overview of the string primitive's attributes.

Example for Other Primitives

This approach can be applied to other JavaScript primitives as well. Here's how you can do it for all primitive types:

For Numbers:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

For BigInts:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

For Symbols:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Important Note on Deprecated Methods

Conclusion

Exploring these attributes can be a fascinating journey as you uncover the capabilities of your data and enhance your programming skills!