30-seconds-of-code/blog_posts/js-typecheck-array.md

title, shortTitle, type, tags, expertise, author, cover, excerpt, firstSeen

title	shortTitle	type	tags	expertise	author	cover	excerpt	firstSeen
Tip: Typechecking arrays with Array.isArray()	Array typechecking	tip	javascript,type,array	beginner	chalarangelo	blog_images/purple-flower-field.jpg	Make sure to use the correct method when checking if a JavaScript object is an array.	2022-11-06T05:00:00-04:00

To determine if a JavaScript object is an array, you can either use Array.isArray() or the instanceof operator. While both methods work for arrays created either using the array literal syntax or the Array constructor, there's a key difference. Array.isArray() is more reliable, as it works with cross-realm-objects, such as those created in an iframe.

var iframeEl = document.createElement('iframe');
document.body.appendChild(iframeEl);
iframeArray = window.frames[window.frames.length - 1].Array;

var array1 = new Array(1,1,1,1);
var array2 = new iframeArray(1,1,1,1);

console.log(array1 instanceof Array);   // true
console.log(Array.isArray(array1));     // true

console.log(array2 instanceof Array);   // false
console.log(Array.isArray(array2));     // true

As illustrated in the previous example, instanceof breaks when working with an iframe. However, Array.isArray() produces the correct result regardless of the way the array was instantiated.

If you are interested in knowing why instanceof Array doesn't work across different globals (i.e. iframe or window), you can read more about it here.