How to keep value in array format?

Question

I have array stored inside input hidden field as follow:

<input type='text' name='fileuploaddelete' id='fileuploaddelete' class='required' value='["ppl.jpg","Tulips.jpg","Penguins.jpg"]'/>

JS

var deleteFile = [];
deleteFile = $("#fileuploaddelete").val(); // return string format

When I retrieved the value using jquery, it is in String format. How to keep it in array format? Any ideas?

• Regent: You can use JSON.parse() to retrieve Object (Array in this case) from String. Fiddle.

Answer 1

use

parsedTest = JSON.parse( $("#fileuploaddelete").val());// this will convert it into array

Answer 2

var arr = JSON.parse(deleteFile);

Answer 3

Remove

"

and

[]

before setting the value. Then you can use:

$("#fileuploaddelete").val().split(',');

This should return the value in array format.

• Regent: What about removing ", [ and ] before voting up?
• Regent: Someone upvoted your answer while it is not actually correct one: instead of ppl.jpg, Tulips.jpg, Penguins.jpg you got ["ppl.jpg", "Tulips.jpg", "Penguins.jpg"]
• Legends: Yes, you are right. He has to remove these unnecessary characters before setting the value.
• Regent: So we come to two thoughts: 1. Your answer is incomplete one. 2. Does it make sense to reinvent the wheel?