How can I refer to a variable using a string containing its name?

Question

Is there a way to refer to a Javascript variable with a string that contains its name?

example:

var myText = 'hello world!'; var someString = 'myText';  //how to output myText value using someString? 

Answer 1

You can use an eval to do it, though I try to avoid that sort of thing at all costs.

alert(eval(someString)); 

A better way, if you find yourself needing to do this, is to use a hash table.

var stuff = { myText: 'hello world!' }; var someString = 'myText'; alert( stuff[someString] ); 

Answer 2

If that variable is on the global scope, you can use the bracket notation on the global object:

var myText = 'hello world!'; var someString = 'myText';  alert(window[someString]);