How to Clone and Modify Nested Arrays in JavaScript Objects

Learn how to effectively clone an array nested within an object and modify it without duplicating other properties in JavaScript.
---

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 clone an array which is nested inside another array in an object

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Cloning Nested Arrays in JavaScript Objects: A Guide

JavaScript is a powerful language, and working with objects and arrays is a big part of its magic. But sometimes, developers face challenges, especially when dealing with nested structures. One common question is how to clone an array that is nested inside another array within an object. If you've found yourself in this predicament, you're not alone!

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at a specific example and walk through how to effectively clone and modify nested arrays without duplicating other object properties. Let's dive in!

The Problem: Nested Arrays in Objects

Imagine you have an object that looks like this:

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

You want to modify this object whenever a button is clicked. Specifically, you need to append new objects to the multiple array without losing the existing values. Unfortunately, using the spread operator can lead to confusing results, like duplicating the entire mainList instead of just updating the multiple array. So, what’s the solution?

Step-by-Step Process

Start with Your Object: Begin with the object we defined earlier.

Access the Nested Array: Use the appropriate property accessors to get to the multiple array.

Push New Objects: Use the push() method to add a new object to the multiple array.

Here’s how the code would look:

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

Explanation of the Code

Pushing New Objects: The push() method adds a new object to the end of the multiple array, ensuring that the existing options remain intact.

Logging the Updated Object: Finally, output the modified object to see the new structure.

What Happens After the Click?

After executing the above code once (say after a button click), your object will look like this:

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

Now, you can see that the multiple array has been successfully updated with a new object while retaining all other values in the parent object structure!

Conclusion

Next time you find yourself in a similar situation, remember this simple method to effectively manage nested structures in JavaScript! Happy coding!