Question

In Javascript, one of the reliable ways to convert a string to a number is the Number constructor:

var x = Number('09'); // 9, because it defaults to decimal

Inspired by this question, I started wondering — what is the difference between the above and:

var x =new Number('09');

Number certainly looks better, but it seems like a slightly inappropriate use of a constructor. Are there any side effects or any difference to using it without the new? If there is no difference, why not, and what is the purpose of new?

Answer 1

In the first case, you are using the Number Constructor Called as a Function, as described in the Specification, that will simply perform a type conversion, returning you a Number primitive.

In the second case, you are using the Number Constructor to make a Number object:

var x = Number('09');
typeof x; // 'number'

var x = new Number('09');
typeof x; // 'object'

Number('1') === new Number('1'); // false

The difference may be subtle, but I think it’s important to notice how wrapper objects act on primitive values.