javascriptobjectdeep-copyshallow-copy

Does Object.assign() create a deep copy or a shallow copy?


I just came across this concept of

var copy = Object.assign({}, originalObject);

which creates a copy of original object into the "copy" object. However, my question is, does this way of cloning object create a deep copy or a shallow copy?

PS: The confusion is, if it creates a deep copy, then it would be the easiest way to clone an object.


Solution

  • Forget about deep copy, even shallow copy isn't safe, if the object you're copying has a property with enumerable attribute set to false.

    MDN :

    The Object.assign() method only copies enumerable and own properties from a source object to a target object

    take this example

    var o = {};
    
    Object.defineProperty(o,'x',{enumerable: false,value : 15});
    
    var ob={}; 
    Object.assign(ob,o);
    
    console.log(o.x); // 15
    console.log(ob.x); // undefined