JavaScript Array Methods: A Beginner's Guide

Arrays in javascript are the most commonly used data structure for manipulating and storing data. Arrays allow you to do a lot of things and make the life of a developer much easier. For beginners, here are some array methods to try :

1. `push()`

   This method allows you to push an element to the end of an array. Here's an example of the push method:

    const arr = [1, 2, 3];
    arr.push(10);
   
    console.log(arr);   // [ 1, 2, 3, 10 ]
   

2. `pop()`

   This method removes an element from the end of an array. Here is an example of the pop method.

    const arr = [1, 2, 3];
    arr.pop();
   
    console.log(arr); // [ 1, 2 ]
   

3. `shift()`

   The pop method removes an item from the end of an array. However, the shift method removes the item from the beginning of the array.

    const arr = [1, 2, 3];
    arr.shift();
   
    console.log(arr);  // [ 2, 3 ]
   

4. `unshift()`

   The unshift method is used for adding items in the same way that the push method is. However, it places the item at the beginning of the array.

    const arr = [1, 2, 3];
    arr.unshift(0);
   
    console.log(arr); // [ 0, 1, 2, 3 ]
   

5. `slice()`

   Unlike the previous four methods, it returns a new array. The syntax is :

    arr.slice(start, end)
   

   It returns an array from the start index item to the end index item. Please keep in mind that it does not return the end index item. For instance :

    const arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
    const newArr = arr.slice(0, 2);
   
    console.log(newArr); // [ 1, 2 ]
   

   If you do not add the end index. It will take all items from the first index.

    const arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
    const newArr = arr.slice(2);
   
    console.log(newArr); // [ 3, 4, 5 ]
   

   You can also use negative index values. For instance :

    const arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
    const newArr = arr.slice(-1);  // It will return the last index value
   
    console.log(newArr); // [ 5 ]
   

6. `splice()`

   This method does not return a new array. It modifies the original array. Here's a syntax :

    arr.splice(start, delete, [item1, item2, ..., itemN])
   

   This method is a little confusing. So let's look at an example. This is a simple example of deleting values.

    let arr = ["HTML", "CSS", "JavaScript", "React"];
    arr.splice(1, 2); // from index 1 remove 2 elements
   
    console.log(arr); // [ 'HTML', 'React' ]
   

   Let's take a more complex example :

    let arr = ["HTML", "CSS", "JavaScript", "React"];
    arr.splice(1, 2, "PHP", "C++"); 
    // from index 1 remove 2 elements and add "PHP", "C++" instead of them
   
    console.log(arr); // [ 'HTML', 'PHP', 'C++', 'React' ]
   

   There are still many methods available. I'll post them soon.