Delete operator behavior on non existing indexed element of an array?

Question

Why does delete operator return true if I try to delete non existing indexed element of an array?

More precisely deletion of undefined is true in javascript?

var arr = ['a','b','c','d'];

console.log(delete arr[2000]);  //true why?

console.log(delete aaaaa);     //true  why not reference error?

console.log(delete arrr[2000]);  //reference error  it's okay i think

I don't understand difference between 2nd and 3rd deletion. Both should ideally give reference error.

do u mean deletion of undefined is true? arr[2000] was undefined — P K
– P K, Commented Jan 5, 2012 at 20:27
The real question is what are you trying to do, this might be a classical XY Problem case. — Madara's Ghost
– Madara's Ghost, Commented Jan 5, 2012 at 20:30

Andreas Köberle · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-05 20:44:53Z

9

From the MDN:

Returns false only if the property exists and cannot be deleted. It returns true in all other cases.

edit:

here you just delete a in your scope, mostly the window scope

console.log(delete aaaaa);     //true  why not reference error?

so its the same as:

console.log(delete window.aaaaa);     //true

here arrr is undefined and you get an reference error before the delete method is called

console.log(delete arrr[2000]);  //reference error  it's okay i think

edited Jan 5, 2012 at 20:44

answered Jan 5, 2012 at 20:34

Andreas Köberle

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