How to Avoid Creating a Reference: Clone an Object in JavaScript

Learn how to clone an object in JavaScript without creating a reference to the original, ensuring that changes to the clone do not affect the original object.
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When working with objects in JavaScript, it's common to need a copy that does not share references with the original object. This ensures that modifying the new object does not impact the original. Here are several methods to clone an object in JavaScript effectively:

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However, be aware that this method only performs a shallow clone. Nested objects will still share references with the original object.

Shallow Clone Using Spread Operator

The spread operator (...) is another way to create a shallow clone.

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Deep Clone Using JSON Methods

For a deeper clone that removes references entirely, you can use JSON.parse() with JSON.stringify():

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This method works well for simple objects, but it has limitations. It doesn't handle functions, Date objects, and various other data types properly.

Deep Clone Using a Library

For complex objects or more reliability, use libraries like Lodash:

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Lodash's cloneDeep function handles deep cloning effectively, maintaining the integrity of the object structure including nested objects.

Conclusion

Mastering these techniques ensures that you can safely duplicate objects without unexpected side effects, enhancing your JavaScript programming proficiency.