How to dump javascript data with functions to eval-able string?

Question

I want to dump this array to string and get the same object after evaluating it.

arr = [5, 86, function() { console.log(arguments); }, [console.log, 357]];

Although, functions may have extra properties, only the code is necessary to reproduce.

I can't find a way to do this in Node:

> console.log(arr)
[5, 86, [Function] [ [Function], 357] ]

> util.format('%j', arr)
'[5,86,null,[null,357]]'

> arr.toString()
'5,86,function () { console.log(arguments); },function () {\n  process.stdout.write(util.format.apply(this, arguments) + \'\\n\');\n},357'

The latter has flatterned the array.

Is there a better way?

update: found the satisfying solution, see my own answer.

Ned Batchelder · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-17 18:25:56Z

2

JSON can't represent functions. There's no way to put your array in JSON. People often use the term "JSON" to mean any Javascript object literal. It isn't: it's a strictly defined data format.

UPDATE: The OP has removed "JSON" from the title.

answered Feb 17, 2012 at 18:25

Ned Batchelder

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2 Comments

culebrón Over a year ago

I've changed the question title. :)

Nikoloz Shvelidze Over a year ago

I thought it could represent functions. Or is it BSON that can? Because i used to store a function in MongoDB

Max Ogden · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-17 18:30:43Z

0

as functions aren't a recognized JSON datatype you'll have to stringify them. here's an example from the wild: https://github.com/mikeal/node.couchapp.js/blob/master/main.js#L122

answered Feb 17, 2012 at 18:30

Max Ogden

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Will Stern · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-17 18:34:27Z

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If I have you right, you want to flatten it to a string, while retaining the original then convert it back to an array?

var original = ['a','b','c'];
var str = original.toString();
var newAgain = str.split(',');

console.log(original); //['a','b','c']
console.log(str);// "a,b,c"
console.log(newAgain); //['a','b','c']

answered Feb 17, 2012 at 18:34

Will Stern

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culebrón · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-17 18:35:56Z

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I found what satisfies me: jsDump

answered Feb 17, 2012 at 18:35

culebrón

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user748221 · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-17 18:37:14Z

0

https://github.com/Benvie/JASON

It won't have all the context necessary when code is inaccessible to you, but it will at least not throw reference errors when evaled.

answered Feb 17, 2012 at 18:37

user748221

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