How can I store reference to a variable within an array?

Question

I'm trying to create an array that maps strings to variables. It seems that the array stores the current value of the variable instead of storing a reference to the variable.

var name = "foo";
var array = [];

array["reference"] = name;

name = "bar";

// Still returns "foo" when I'd like it to return "bar."
array["reference"];

Is there a way to make the array refer to the variable?

Answer 1

My solution to saving a reference is to pass a function instead:

If the variable you want to reference is called myTarget, then use:

myRef = function (newVal) {
    if (newVal != undefined) myTarget = newVal;
    return myTarget;
}

To read the value, use myRef();. To set the value, use myRef(<the value you want to set>);.

Helpfully, you can also assign this to an array element as well:

var myArray = [myRef];

Then use myArray[0]() to read and myArray[0](<new value>) to write.

Disclaimer: I've only tested this with a numerical target as that is my use case.

Answer 2

Put an object into the array instead:

var name = {};
name.title = "foo";

var array = [];

array["reference"] = name;

name.title = "bar";

// now returns "bar"
array["reference"].title;

Answer 3

Try pushing an object to the array instead and altering values within it.

var ar = [];

var obj = {value: 10};
ar[ar.length] = obj;

obj.value = 12;

alert(ar[0].value);