Swap Variables in JavaScript – Different Methods

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Here are some different ways to swap variable values in JavaScript. I will show swapping using a temporary variable, without a temporary variable, XOR operator and a single line swap.

Swap variable values using a temporary variable

// Using a Temp Variable
var x = 10;
var y = 20;
var tmp = x;
x = y;
y = tmp;
alert("Value of X=" + x + " and value of Y=" + y);

Swap variable values without a temporary variable

// Without using a temp variable
var x = 10;
var y = 20;
x = x + y;
y = x - y;
x = x - y;
alert("Value of X=" + x + " and value of Y=" + y);

Swap using Bitwise XOR operator

// Bitwise Exclusive OR operator
var x = 10;
var y = 20;
x ^= y;
y ^= x;
x ^= y;
alert("Value of X=" + x + " and value of Y=" + y);

Single line Swap (works in Firefox)

// JavaScript 1.7 and above
var x = 10;
var y = 20;
[x, y] = [y, x];
alert("Value of X=" + x + " and value of Y=" + y);

OUTPUT

If you know of any other method to swap variable values in JavaScript, please share it with fellow readers.

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About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, Developer Technologies MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional) is the founder and contributor for DevCurry, DotNetCurry and SQLServerCurry. He is the Chief Editor of a Developer Magazine called DNC Magazine. He has also authored two Books - 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls. and The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

Follow him on twitter @suprotimagarwal.