Generator

The Generator object is returned by a generator function and it conforms to both the iterable protocol and the iterator protocol.

Constructor

This object cannot be instantiated directly. Instead, a Generator instance can be returned from a generator function:

function* generator() {
  yield 1;
  yield 2;
  yield 3;
}

const gen = generator(); // "Generator { }"

Instance methods

Generator.prototype.next()
Returns a value yielded by the yield expression.
Generator.prototype.return()
Returns the given value and finishes the generator.
Generator.prototype.throw()
Throws an error to a generator (also finishes the generator, unless caught from within that generator).

Examples

An infinite iterator

function* infinite() {
    let index = 0;

    while (true) {
        yield index++;
    }
}

const generator = infinite(); // "Generator { }"

console.log(generator.next().value); // 0
console.log(generator.next().value); // 1
console.log(generator.next().value); // 2
// ...

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Generator objects' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
GeneratorChrome Full support 39Edge Full support 13Firefox Full support 26IE No support NoOpera Full support 26Safari Full support 10WebView Android Full support 39Chrome Android Full support 39Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 26Safari iOS Full support 10Samsung Internet Android Full support 4.0nodejs Full support 4.0.0
Full support 4.0.0
Full support 0.12
Disabled
Disabled From version 0.12: this feature is behind the --harmony runtime flag.
nextChrome Full support 39Edge Full support 13Firefox Full support 26IE No support NoOpera Full support 26Safari Full support 10WebView Android Full support 39Chrome Android Full support 39Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 26Safari iOS Full support 10Samsung Internet Android Full support 4.0nodejs Full support Yes
returnChrome Full support 50Edge Full support 13Firefox Full support 38IE No support NoOpera Full support 37Safari Full support 10WebView Android Full support 50Chrome Android Full support 50Firefox Android Full support 38Opera Android Full support 37Safari iOS Full support 10Samsung Internet Android Full support 5.0nodejs Full support 6.0.0
throwChrome Full support 39Edge Full support 13Firefox Full support 26IE No support NoOpera Full support 26Safari Full support 10WebView Android Full support 39Chrome Android Full support 39Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 26Safari iOS Full support 10Samsung Internet Android Full support 4.0nodejs Full support 4.0.0
Full support 4.0.0
Full support 0.12
Disabled
Disabled From version 0.12: this feature is behind the --harmony runtime flag.

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
User must explicitly enable this feature.
User must explicitly enable this feature.

See also