Profile Lookup Question

JavaScript
1

Hi Folks,

I’m not clear why bracket notation works for this, but dot notation doesn’t. See comments in code below. Aren’t these interchangeable?

Thanks,
Starr

function lookUpProfile(firstName, prop){
// Only change code below this line
  for(var i=0; i < contacts.length; i++){
    if(contacts[i].firstName === firstName){
      if(contacts[i].hasOwnProperty(prop)){
        return contacts[i][prop]; //THIS WORKS
        return contacts[i].prop; //THIS DOESN'T WORK
      }else {
        return "No such property";
      }
    }
  }
  return "No such contact";

// Only change code above this line
}

// Change these values to test your function
lookUpProfile("Kristian", "lastName");

Link to the challenge:
https://www.freecodecamp.org/challenges/profile-lookup

2

Because when you use dot notation, you have to use the exact name of the property. Only bracket notation allows you to use a variable as a property name.

Read:

3

I’ve edited your post for readability. When you enter a code block into the forum, precede it with a line of three backticks and follow it with a line of three backticks to make easier to read. See this post to find the backtick on your keyboard. The “preformatted text” tool in the editor (</>) will also add backticks around text.

markdown_Forums

5

Thanks, everyone, for the answer, resources and code readability tips :slight_smile: Much appreciated!