JavaScript uses three dots (...) for both the rest and spread operators. But these two operators are not the same.
The main difference between rest and spread is that the rest operator puts the rest of some specific user-supplied values into a JavaScript array. But the spread syntax expands iterables into individual elements.
For instance, consider this code that uses rest to enclose some values into an array:
// Use rest to enclose the rest of specific user-supplied values into an array:
function myBio(firstName, lastName, ...otherInfo) {
return otherInfo;
}
// Invoke myBio function while passing five arguments to its parameters:
myBio("Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", "Male");
// The invocation above will return:
["CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", "Male"]In the snippet above, we used the ...otherInfo rest parameter to put "CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", and "Male" into an array.
Now, consider this example of a spread operator:
// Define a function with three parameters:
function myBio(firstName, lastName, company) {
return `${firstName} ${lastName} runs ${company}`;
}
// Use spread to expand an array’s items into individual arguments:
myBio(...["Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "CodeSweetly"]);
// The invocation above will return:
“Oluwatobi Sofela runs CodeSweetly”In the snippet above, we used the spread operator (...) to spread ["Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "CodeSweetly"]’s content across myBio()’s parameters.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand the rest or spread operators yet. This article has got you covered!
In the following sections, we will discuss how rest and spread work in JavaScript.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started with the rest operator.
What Exactly Is the Rest Operator?
The rest operator is used to put the rest of some specific user-supplied values into a JavaScript array.
So, for instance, here is the rest syntax:
...yourValuesThe three dots (...) in the snippet above symbolize the rest operator.
The text after the rest operator references the values you wish to encase inside an array. You can only use it before the last parameter in a function definition.
To understand the syntax better, let’s see how rest works with JavaScript functions.
How Does the Rest Operator Work in a Function?
In JavaScript functions, rest gets used as a prefix of the function’s last parameter.
Here’s an example:
// Define a function with two regular parameters and one rest parameter:
function myBio(firstName, lastName, ...otherInfo) {
return otherInfo;
}The rest operator (...) instructs the computer to add whatever otherInfo (arguments) supplied by the user into an array. Then, assign that array to the otherInfo parameter.
As such, we call ...otherInfo a rest parameter.
Note: Arguments are optional values you may pass to a function’s parameter through an invocator.
Here’s another example:
// Define a function with two regular parameters and one rest parameter:
function myBio(firstName, lastName, ...otherInfo) {
return otherInfo;
}
// Invoke myBio function while passing five arguments to its parameters:
myBio("Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", "Male");
// The invocation above will return:
["CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", "Male"]In the snippet above, notice that myBio’s invocation passed five arguments to the function.
In other words, "Oluwatobi" and "Sofela" got assigned to the firstName and lastName parameters.
At the same time, the rest operator added the remaining arguments ( "CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", and "Male") into an array and assigned that array to the otherInfo parameter.
Therefore, myBio() function correctly returned ["CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", "Male"] as the content of the otherInfo rest parameter.
Beware! You Cannot Use “use strict” Inside a Function Containing a Rest Parameter
Keep in mind that you cannot use the “use strict” directive inside any function containing a rest parameter, default parameter, or destructuring parameter. Otherwise, the computer will throw a syntax error.
For instance, consider this example below:
// Define a function with one rest parameter:
function printMyName(...value) {
"use strict";
return value;
}
// The definition above will return:
"Uncaught SyntaxError: Illegal 'use strict' directive in function with non-simple parameter list"printMyName() returned a syntax error because we used the “use strict” directive inside a function with a rest parameter.
But suppose you need your function to be in strict mode while also using the rest parameter. In such a case, you can write the “use strict” directive outside the function.
Here’s an example:
// Define a “use strict” directive outside your function:
"use strict";
// Define a function with one rest parameter:
function printMyName(...value) {
return value;
}
// Invoke the printMyName function while passing two arguments to its parameters:
printMyName("Oluwatobi", "Sofela");
// The invocation above will return:
["Oluwatobi", "Sofela"]Note: Only place the “use strict” directive outside your function if it is okay for the entire script or enclosing scope to be in strict mode.
So now that we know how rest works in a function, we can talk about how it works in a destructuring assignment.
How the Rest Operator Works in a Destructuring Assignment
The rest operator typically gets used as a prefix of the destructuring assignment’s last variable.
Here’s an example:
// Define a destructuring array with two regular variables and one rest variable:
const [firstName, lastName, ...otherInfo] = [
"Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", "Male"
];
// Invoke the otherInfo variable:
console.log(otherInfo);
// The invocation above will return:
["CodeSweetly", "Web Developer", "Male"]The rest operator (...) instructs the computer to add the rest of the user-supplied values into an array. Then, it assigns that array to the otherInfo variable.
As such, you may call ...otherInfo a rest variable.
Here’s another example:
// Define a destructuring object with two regular variables and one rest variable:
const { firstName, lastName, ...otherInfo } = {
firstName: "Oluwatobi",
lastName: "Sofela",
companyName: "CodeSweetly",
profession: "Web Developer",
gender: "Male"
}
// Invoke the otherInfo variable:
console.log(otherInfo);
// The invocation above will return:
{companyName: "CodeSweetly", profession: "Web Developer", gender: "Male"}In the snippet above, notice that the rest operator assigned a properties object — not an array — to the otherInfo variable.
In other words, whenever you use rest in a destructuring object, the rest operator will produce a properties object.
However, if you use rest in a destructuring array or function, the operator will yield an array literal.
Before we wrap up our discussion on rest, you should be aware of some differences between JavaScript arguments and the rest parameter. So, let’s talk about that below.
Arguments vs Rest Parameters: What’s the Difference?
Here are some of the differences between JavaScript arguments and the rest parameter:
Difference 1: The arguments object is an array-like object — not a real array!
Keep in mind that the JavaScript arguments object is not a real array. Instead, it is an array-like object that does not have the comprehensive features of a regular JavaScript array.
The rest parameter, however, is a real array object. As such, you can use all array methods on it.
So for instance, you can call the sort(), map(), forEach(), or pop() method on a rest parameter. But you cannot do the same on the arguments object.
Difference 2: You cannot use the arguments object in an arrow function
The arguments object is not available within an arrow function, so you can’t use it there. But you can use the rest parameter within all functions — including the arrow function.
Difference 3: Let rest be your preference
It is best to use rest parameters instead of the arguments object — especially while writing ES6 compatible code.
Now that we know how rest works, let's discuss the spread operator so we can see the differences.
What Is the Spread Operator and How Does spread work in JavaScript?
The spread operator (...) helps you expand iterables into individual elements.
The spread syntax works within array literals, function calls, and initialized property objects to spread the values of iterable objects into separate items. So effectively, it does the opposite thing from the rest operator.
Note: A spread operator is effective only when used within array literals, function calls, or initialized properties objects.
So, what exactly does this mean? Let’s see with some examples.
Spread Example 1: How Spread Works in an Array Literal
const myName = ["Sofela", "is", "my"];
const aboutMe = ["Oluwatobi", ...myName, "name."];
console.log(aboutMe);
// The invocation above will return:
[ "Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "is", "my", "name." ]The snippet above used spread (...) to copy the myName array into aboutMe.
Note:
- Alterations to
myNamewill not reflect inaboutMebecause all the values insidemyNameare primitives. Therefore, the spread operator simply copied and pastedmyName’s content intoaboutMewithout creating any reference back to the original array. - As mentioned by @nombrekeff in a comment here, the spread operator only does shallow copy. So, keep in mind that supposing
myNamecontained any non-primitive value, the computer would have created a reference betweenmyNameandaboutMe. See info 3 for more on how the spread operator works with primitive and non-primitive values. - Suppose we did not use the spread syntax to duplicate
myName’s content. For instance, if we had writtenconst aboutMe = ["Oluwatobi", myName, "name."]. In such a case, the computer would have assigned a reference back tomyName. As such, any change made in the original array would reflect in the duplicated one.
Spread Example 2: How to Use Spread to Convert a String into Individual Array Items
const myName = "Oluwatobi Sofela";
console.log([...myName]);
// The invocation above will return:
[ "O", "l", "u", "w", "a", "t", "o", "b", "i", " ", "S", "o", "f", "e", "l", "a" ]In the snippet above, we used the spread syntax (...) within an array literal object ([...]) to expand myName’s string value into individual items.
As such, "Oluwatobi Sofela" got expanded into [ "O", "l", "u", "w", "a", "t", "o", "b", "i", " ", "S", "o", "f", "e", "l", "a" ].
Spread Example 3: How the Spread Operator Works in a Function Call
const numbers = [1, 3, 5, 7];
function addNumbers(a, b, c, d) {
return a + b + c + d;
}
console.log(addNumbers(...numbers));
// The invocation above will return:
16In the snippet above, we used the spread syntax to spread the numbers array’s content across addNumbers()’s parameters.
Suppose the numbers array had more than four items. In such a case, the computer will only use the first four items as addNumbers() argument and ignore the rest.
Here’s an example:
const numbers = [1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 200, 90, 59];
function addNumbers(a, b, c, d) {
return a + b + c + d;
}
console.log(addNumbers(...numbers));
// The invocation above will return:
16Here’s another example:
const myName = "Oluwatobi Sofela";
function spellName(a, b, c) {
return a + b + c;
}
console.log(spellName(...myName)); // returns: "Olu"
console.log(spellName(...myName[3])); // returns: "wundefinedundefined"
console.log(spellName([...myName])); // returns: "O,l,u,w,a,t,o,b,i, ,S,o,f,e,l,aundefinedundefined"
console.log(spellName({...myName})); // returns: "[object Object]undefinedundefined"Spread Example 4: How Spread Works in an Object Literal
const myNames = ["Oluwatobi", "Sofela"];
const bio = { ...myNames, runs: "codesweetly.com" };
console.log(bio);
// The invocation above will return:
{ 0: "Oluwatobi", 1: "Sofela", runs: "codesweetly.com" }In the snippet above, we used spread inside the bio object to expand myNames values into individual properties.
What to Know About the Spread Operator
Keep these three essential pieces of info in mind whenever you choose to use the spread operator.
Info 1: Spread operators can’t expand object literal’s values
Since a properties object is not an iterable object, you cannot use the spread operator to expand its values.
However, you can use the spread operator to clone properties from one object into another.
Here’s an example:
const myName = { firstName: "Oluwatobi", lastName: "Sofela" };
const bio = { ...myName, website: "codesweetly.com" };
console.log(bio);
// The invocation above will return:
{ firstName: "Oluwatobi", lastName: "Sofela", website: "codesweetly.com" };The snippet above used the spread operator to clone myName’s content into the bio object.
Note:
- The spread operator can expand iterable objects’ values only.
- An object is iterable only if it (or any object in its prototype chain) has a property with a @@iterator key.
- Array, TypedArray, String, Map, and Set are all built-in iterable types because they have the
@@iteratorproperty by default. - A properties object is not an iterable data type because it does not have the
@@iteratorproperty by default. - You can make a properties object iterable by adding
@@iteratoronto it.
Info 2: The spread operator does not clone identical properties
Suppose you used the spread operator to clone properties from object A into object B. And suppose object B contains properties identical to those in object A. In such a case, B’s versions will override those inside A.
Here’s an example:
const myName = { firstName: "Tobi", lastName: "Sofela" };
const bio = { ...myName, firstName: "Oluwatobi", website: "codesweetly.com" };
console.log(bio);
// The invocation above will return:
{ firstName: "Oluwatobi", lastName: "Sofela", website: "codesweetly.com" };Observe that the spread operator did not copy myName’s firstName property into the bio object because bio already contains a firstName property.
Info 3: Beware of how spread works when used on objects containing non-primitives!
Suppose you used the spread operator on an object (or array) containing only primitive values. The computer will not create any reference between the original object and the duplicated one.
For instance, consider this code below:
const myName = ["Sofela", "is", "my"];
const aboutMe = ["Oluwatobi", ...myName, "name."];
console.log(aboutMe);
// The invocation above will return:
["Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "is", "my", "name."]Observe that every item in myName is a primitive value. Therefore, when we used the spread operator to clone myName into aboutMe, the computer did not create any reference between the two arrays.
As such, any alteration you make to myName will not reflect in aboutMe, and vice versa.
As an example, let’s add more content to myName:
myName.push("real");Now, let’s check the current state of myName and aboutMe:
console.log(myName); // ["Sofela", "is", "my", "real"]
console.log(aboutMe); // ["Oluwatobi", "Sofela", "is", "my", "name."]Notice that myName’s updated content did not reflect in aboutMe — because spread created no reference between the original array and the duplicated one.
What if myName contains non-primitive items?
Suppose myName contained non-primitives. In that case, spread will create a reference between the original non-primitive and the cloned one.
Here is an example:
const myName = [["Sofela", "is", "my"]];
const aboutMe = ["Oluwatobi", ...myName, "name."];
console.log(aboutMe);
// The invocation above will return:
[ "Oluwatobi", ["Sofela", "is", "my"], "name." ]Observe that myName contains a non-primitive value.
Therefore, using the spread operator to clone myName’s content into aboutMe caused the computer to create a reference between the two arrays.
As such, any alteration you make to myName’s copy will reflect in aboutMe’s version, and vice versa.
As an example, let’s add more content to myName:
myName[0].push("real");Now, let’s check the current state of myName and aboutMe:
console.log(myName); // [["Sofela", "is", "my", "real"]]
console.log(aboutMe); // ["Oluwatobi", ["Sofela", "is", "my", "real"], "name."]Notice that myName’s updated content is reflected in aboutMe — because spread created a reference between the original array and the duplicated one.
Here’s another example:
const myName = { firstName: "Oluwatobi", lastName: "Sofela" };
const bio = { ...myName };
myName.firstName = "Tobi";
console.log(myName); // { firstName: "Tobi", lastName: "Sofela" }
console.log(bio); // { firstName: "Oluwatobi", lastName: "Sofela" }In the snippet above, myName’s update did not reflect in bio because we used the spread operator on an object that contains primitive values only.
Note: A developer would call myName a shallow object because it contains only primitive items.
Here’s one more example:
const myName = {
fullName: { firstName: "Oluwatobi", lastName: "Sofela" }
};
const bio = { ...myName };
myName.fullName.firstName = "Tobi";
console.log(myName); // { fullName: { firstName: "Tobi", lastName: "Sofela" } }
console.log(bio); // { fullName: { firstName: "Tobi", lastName: "Sofela" } }In the snippet above, myName’s update is reflected in bio because we used the spread operator on an object that contains a non-primitive value.
Note:
- We call
myNamea deep object because it contains a non-primitive item. - You do shallow copy when you create references while cloning one object into another. For instance,
...myNameproduces a shallow copy of themyNameobject because whatever alteration you make in one will reflect in the other. - You do deep copy when you clone objects without creating references. For instance, I could deep copy
myNameintobioby doingconst bio = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(myName)). By doing so, the computer will clonemyNameintobiowithout creating any reference. - You can break off the reference between the two objects by replacing the
fullNameobject insidemyNameorbiowith a new object. For instance, doingmyName.fullName = { firstName: "Tobi", lastName: "Sofela" }would disconnect the pointer betweenmyNameandbio.
Wrapping it up
This article discussed the differences between the rest and spread operators. We also used examples to see how each operator works.
Thanks for reading!