Question

Possible Duplicate:
for(var i in aArray) VS for(i=0; i<aArray.length; i++)

Is it safe to assume that these will always do the same thing, and that I should always use the latter?

for (var i = 0; i < a.length; i++){

for (var i in a){

Answer 1

No it isn’t safe, because they’re not the same thing.

The first iterates numeric indices up until whatever value is stored in the .length property in numeric order.

The second enumerates all enumerable properties on an object, including prototyped properties, and doesn’t guarantee any sort of order.

Take an Array:

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

Now add something to the prototype object of its constructor function:

Array.prototype.sayHello = function() { alert('hi'); };

If you use a for-in statement, you’ll end up hitting the sayHello function instead of just the numeric indices.

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If you’re dealing with objects that don’t have enumerable properties aside from the indices, and you don’t care about the order, then it really won’t matter I guess, but the proper form is still to use a for statement.