How to dynamically create an array with Javascript?

Question

I need to dynamically create an array based on a range. I have a req_count variable. My array needs to always have the first 6 spots as null, and then the variable spots as { "sType": "title-string" }. For some reason, my code below doesn't seem to be working. Any ideas?

Javascript:

var aoColumns = ['null', 'null', 'null', 'null', 'null', 'null']
for (i=0;i<=req_count;i++){
 aoColumns.push('{ "sType": "title-string" }');
}

So if req_count = 5, the result should be:

[ 
 null, 
 null,
 null,
 null,
 null, 
 null, 
 { "sType": "title-string" },
 { "sType": "title-string" },
 { "sType": "title-string" },
 { "sType": "title-string" },
 { "sType": "title-string" }
],

Answer 1

You're pushing strings, not objects:

Change

for (i=0;i<=req_count;i++){
 aoColumns.push('{ "sType": "title-string" }');
}

to

for (i=0;i<=req_count;i++){
 aoColumns.push({ "sType": "title-string" }); 
}

---

The same goes for your initial null values. You're pushing the string "null" instead of actual null.

Change

var aoColumns = ['null', 'null', 'null', 'null', 'null', 'null']

to

var aoColumns = [null, null, null, null, null, null];

Answer 2

var aoColumns = ['null', 'null', 'null', 'null', 'null', 'null']

should be

var aoColumns = [null, null, null, null, null, null]

and

aoColumns.push('{ "sType": "title-string" }');

should be

aoColumns.push({ "sType": "title-string" });

Answer 3

Remove the quotes from inside the push... Push real objects into it, not strings.

For example:

aoColumns.push({ "sType": "title-string" });

Instead of

aoColumns.push('{ "sType": "title-string" }');

Answer 4

String is not the only type in javascript ;). 'null' should be null and

aoColumns.push('{ "sType": "title-string" }');

should be

aoColumns.push({ "sType": "title-string" });