How can I check if arrays are equal in javascript?

Question

Have a look at this code sample or go to the jsfiddle

function printRelation(a, b, out) {
 var text;
 if (a === b) {
 text = "a === b";
 } else if (a == b) {
 text = "a == b";
 } else {
 text = "a != b";
 }
 $('#' + out).text(text);
}
var a = [0, 0, 2], b = a;
printRelation(a, b, 'out1');
a = [0, 0, 2];
b = [0, 0, 2];
printRelation(a, b, 'out2');

I would have expected both tests to output a === b, but only the first one does. The second one outputs a != b. Can anyone explain this behaviour? How can I efficiently compare arrays in javascript?

• JConstantine: Possible duplicate of stackoverflow.com/questions/3115982/…
• Thomas: I guess the === operator compares arrays by reference, which would explain the observed behaviour. EDIT: Answered by Pointy in the meantime.

Answer 1

You can use the Underscore.js library's isEqual method.

http://underscorejs.org/#isEqual

Performs an optimized deep comparison between the two objects, to determine if they should be considered equal.

var moe = {name : 'moe', luckyNumbers : [13, 27, 34]};
var clone = {name : 'moe', luckyNumbers : [13, 27, 34]};
moe == clone;
=> false
_.isEqual(moe, clone);
=> true

---

UPDATE

Lodash is inspired by underscore, but nowadays is superior solution

https://lodash.com/docs/#isEqual

Performs an optimized deep comparison between the two objects, to determine if they should be considered equal.

var object = { 'a': 1 };
var other = { 'a': 1 };
_.isEqual(object, other);
// => true
object === other;
// => false

• jrz: note that order matters in an array, so _.isEqual([1, 2, 3], [3, 2, 1]) => false

Answer 2

Use lodash.

_.isEqual([1,2],[1,2])

Also works with objects.

_.isEqual({a:1}, {a:1})

• ersefuril: Just wanted to say : this is working great for checking [1, 2] with [1, 2], but not for checking [1, 2] with [2, 1] (lodash check if order is the same).

Answer 3

Arrays are Objects in javascript. And comparing objects can’t be done using == like you would normally use when comparing strings or numbers.

There are many other ways to compare arrays, my favourite is using JSON:

if ( JSON.stringify(a) == JSON.stringify(b) ) {
 // equal

Note that assigning a pre-existing object to a variable like you do when you write b = a is just copying a reference. They both point to the same array.

You would have to do b = a.slice() to get a real copy.

• Prinzhorn: Nice idea. Works for usual cases but not general purpose.
• Thomas: Nice solution! +1... It also works with objects, but be careful: var a = {a:0, b:0, c:2}; var b = {c:2, b:0, a:0}; would result "false".
• David Hellsing: @Thomas true, they need to have the same "order" to equal so it’s mostly for arrays I guess.
• I Hate Lazy: JSON.stringify'ing the arrays has other limitations as well since JSON supports only a subset of the value types supported in JavaScript. I personally think it's overkill to create JSON strings, especially considering its serious limitations.
• Pointy: @Thomas not necessarily; strictly speaking the behavior is really not well-defined for objects, as JavaScript does not specify the order of property iteration in for ... in loops. Of course it can generally be relied upon, but it's a little worrisome to do so from a formal standpoint.

Answer 4

JavaScript array comparisons like you've written are just simple object reference comparisons. They're not "deep" comparisons element by element.

You can write your own comparison function, something to check that the lengths are the same and the the elements are the same, either in order or not, as fits your needs. edit As others point out, there are several libraries that include array comparison functions. If you find one that meets your definition of "equality" (not unlikely), and you don't mind considering incorporating that library into your architecture, that might be a good idea.

• MarioDS: And don't forget to do the reference check first too, in the custom function.
• Pointy: @MarioDeSchaepmeester ah yes that's a good idea! No use doing extra work if the two arrays are really the same array!
• Stefan Kendall: "Write your own." Christ. No.
• I Hate Lazy: @StefanKendall: Why would we be afraid of writing a little reusable code that suits our specific needs?
• Pointy: @StefanKendall that reflects a limited view of reality there. For all we know, the OP may consider two arrays to be "equal" if they contain the same elements, but not necessarily in the same order. Perhaps they're equal if a string "17" in one array can match a numeric 17 in the other. The point is that the meaning of "equal" is not necessarily always the same. If a library is already in use that contains some generic array equality test, then of course it would be foolish not to use it.