JavaScript Reference

Quick Reference

The Array shift() method removes and returns the first element of an array, changing the original array.

<!-- html element to place output -->
<p id="my_cars"></p>

Example 1:

// array
let cars = ['Lamborghini', 'Ferrari', 'Maserati', 'Alfa Romeo'];

// remove the first item from the array
cars.shift();

// output changed array info to HTML element
document.getElementById('my_cars').innerHTML = 'Remaining cars: ' + cars;

Example 2:

// array
let cars = ['Lamborghini', 'Ferrari', 'Maserati', 'Alfa Romeo'];

// remove the first item from the array and store it in a variable
let removed = fruits.shift();

// output removed item info to HTML element
document.getElementById('my_cars').innerHTML = 'Removed car: ' + removed;

Note

Arrays count starting from zero NOT one. So item 1 is position [0], item 2 is position [1], and item 3 is position [2] … and so on.

Output

Example 1:

Remaining cars: Ferrari,Maserati,Alfa Romeo

Example 2:

Removed car: Lamborghini

Syntax

array.shift()

JavaScript Notes:

  • When using JavaScript, single or double quotation marks are acceptable and work identically to one another; choose whichever you prefer, and stay consistent
  • JavaScript is a case-sensitive language; firstName is NOT the same as firstname
  • Arrays count starting from zero NOT one; so item 1 is position [0], item 2 is position [1], and item 3 is position [2] … and so on
  • JavaScript variables must begin with a letter, $, or _
  • JavaScript variables are case sensitive (x is not the same as X)

We’d like to acknowledge that we learned a great deal of our coding from W3Schools and TutorialsPoint, borrowing heavily from their teaching process and excellent code examples. We highly recommend both sites to deepen your experience, and further your coding journey. We’re just hitting the basics here at 1SMARTchicken.