Function.arguments

Deprecated
This feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

The function.arguments property refers to an an array-like object corresponding to the arguments passed to a function. Use the simple variable arguments instead. This property is restricted to non-strict functions.

Description

The syntax function.arguments is deprecated. The recommended way to access the arguments object available within functions is simply to refer to the variable arguments.

In the case of recursion, i.e. if function f appears several times on the call stack, the value of f.arguments represents the arguments corresponding to the most recent invocation of the function.

The value of the arguments property is normally null if there is no outstanding invocation of the function in progress (that is, the function has been called but has not yet returned.

Examples

Using the arguments object

function f(n) { g(n - 1) }

function g(n) {
  console.log('before: ' + g.arguments[0])
  if (n > 0) { f(n) }
  console.log('after: ' + g.arguments[0])
}

f(2)

console.log('returned: ' + g.arguments)

// Output

// before: 1
// before: 0
// after: 0
// after: 1
// returned: null

Specifications

Not part of any standard. Deprecated in favor of arguments in ECMAScript 3.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
arguments
DeprecatedNon-standard
Chrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 4Opera Full support 3Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0nodejs Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.
Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.

See also