Question

In JavaScript, what’s the difference between

var x = Object();

and

var x = new Object();

?

Answer 1

This is pulled directly from the ECMAScript specification:

15.2.1 The Object Constructor Called as a Function

When Object is called as a function rather than as a constructor, it performs a type conversion.

15.2.1.1 Object ( [ value ] )

When the Object function is called with no arguments or with one argument value, the following steps are
taken:

1. If value is null, undefined or not
   supplied, create and return a new
   Object object exactly as if the
   standard built-in Object
   constructor had been called with the
   same arguments (15.2.2.1).

   In Short: new Object([ value ])

2. Return ToObject(value).

Notes:

[ ] Is A common way to mark a parameter as optional.

ToObject Is a very simple operation that is defined in section 9.9.