How To Set Object Property Of Object Property Of Given Its String Name In Javascript

When working with JavaScript, it can often be handy to set the property of an object within another object by using a string name. This technique can come in especially useful when dynamically accessing and modifying properties. In this article, we will delve into the process of setting an object property of an object property given its string name in JavaScript.

To achieve this, we can utilize a combination of existing JavaScript concepts such as bracket notation and object traversal. By leveraging these tools, we can dynamically access and update nested properties within objects.

Let's consider an example scenario where we have an object called `myObject` containing nested properties, and we want to set a specific property nested within `myObject` by providing its string name. Here's how we can accomplish this:

let myObject = {
  outerProperty: {
    innerProperty: 'initialValue'
  }
};

function setPropertyByString(object, path, value) {
  let keys = path.split('.');
  let lastKey = keys.pop();

  for (let key of keys) {
    object = object[key];
  }

  object[lastKey] = value;
}

setPropertyByString(myObject, 'outerProperty.innerProperty', 'updatedValue');

console.log(myObject.outerProperty.innerProperty); // Output: 'updatedValue'

In the code snippet above, the `setPropertyByString` function takes three parameters: the object we want to update, the path to the nested property as a dot-separated string, and the new value we want to set. The function then traverses the object based on the provided path and sets the final property to the new value.

By breaking down the path string into individual keys and iteratively accessing nested properties, we can dynamically update specific properties within complex objects.

It's important to note that this method provides a flexible way to update properties within nested objects using string references. However, it's crucial to handle edge cases, such as non-existent properties or invalid paths, to ensure the function's reliability and robustness.

In conclusion, setting an object property of an object property given its string name in JavaScript involves leveraging the power of bracket notation and object traversal. By understanding how to dynamically access and update nested properties within objects, you can enhance your JavaScript coding skills and create more flexible and scalable solutions.