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Array.@@species

The Array[@@species] accessor property returns the Array constructor.

Syntax

Array[Symbol.species]

Return value

The Array constructor.

Description

The species accessor property returns the default constructor for Array objects. Subclass constructors may override it to change the constructor assignment.

Examples

The species property returns the default constructor function, which is the Array constructor for Array objects:

Array[Symbol.species]; // function Array()

In a derived collection object (e.g. your custom array MyArray), the MyArray species is the MyArray constructor. However, you might want to overwrite this, in order to return parent Array objects in your derived class methods:

class MyArray extends Array {
  // Overwrite MyArray species to the parent Array constructor
  static get [Symbol.species]() { return Array; }
}

Specifications

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support ? ? 48 ? ? ?
Feature Android webview Chrome for Android Edge mobile Firefox for Android IE mobile Opera Android iOS Safari
Basic support ? ? ? 48 ? ? ?

See also

© 2005–2018 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Array/@@species