get Array[@@species]

The Array[@@species] accessor property returns the Array constructor.

Syntax

Array[Symbol.species]

Return value

The Array constructor.

Description

The species accessor property returns the default constructor for Array objects. Subclass constructors may override it to change the constructor assignment.

Examples

Species in ordinary objects

The species property returns the default constructor function, which is the Array constructor for Array objects:

Array[Symbol.species]; // function Array()

Species in derived objects

In a derived collection object (e.g. your custom array MyArray), the MyArray species is the MyArray constructor. However, you might want to overwrite this, in order to return parent Array objects in your derived class methods:

class MyArray extends Array {
  // Overwrite MyArray species to the parent Array constructor
  static get [Symbol.species]() { return Array; }
}

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'get Array [ @@species ]' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
@@speciesChrome Full support 51Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 48IE No support NoOpera Full support 38Safari Full support 10WebView Android Full support 51Chrome Android Full support 51Firefox Android Full support 48Opera Android Full support 41Safari iOS Full support 10Samsung Internet Android Full support 5.0nodejs Full support 6.5.0
Full support 6.5.0
Full support 6.0.0
Disabled
Disabled From version 6.0.0: 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