rspec/rules/S2870/javascript/rule.adoc

The ``++delete++`` operator can be used to remove a property from any object. Arrays are objects, so the ``++delete++`` operator can be used here too, but if it is, a hole will be left in the array because the indexes/keys won't be shifted to reflect the deletion. 


The proper method for removing an element at a certain index would be:

* ``++Array.prototype.splice++`` - add/remove elements from the array 
* ``++Array.prototype.pop++`` - add/remove elements from the end of the array 
* ``++Array.prototype.shift++`` - add/remove elements from the beginning of the array


== Noncompliant Code Example

----
var myArray = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd'];

delete myArray[2];  // Noncompliant. myArray => ['a', 'b', undefined, 'd']
console.log(myArray[2]); // expected value was 'd' but output is undefined
----


== Compliant Solution

----
var myArray = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd'];

// removes 1 element from index 2
removed = myArray.splice(2, 1);  // myArray => ['a', 'b', 'd']
console.log(myArray[2]); // outputs 'd'
----



ifdef::env-github,rspecator-view[]

'''
== Implementation Specification
(visible only on this page)

include::message.adoc[]

'''
== Comments And Links
(visible only on this page)

include::comments-and-links.adoc[]
endif::env-github,rspecator-view[]