Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

JavaScript DOM Scripting By Example Improving the Application Code Refactor 1: Create List Items

MING-HSIEN CHEN
MING-HSIEN CHEN
11,852 Points
Posted by MING-HSIEN CHEN
MING-HSIEN CHEN
11,852 Points

why should I use bracket instead of using dot?

when we refactor the function createLi(text), I don't understand why should we use brackets property instead of using dot property

function createLi(text){ ... element[property] = text; //why can't we use element.property? }

1 Answer

Joseph Wasden
Joseph Wasden
20,407 Points

From a related post.

"You must use square brackets since you are using the string passed to the property parameter; if you use dot notation JS thinks you're looking for a property with the name property. When you put it in brackets, the property parameter gets evaluated to a string and the string is used to access the property."

https://teamtreehouse.com/community/why-do-we-need-to-use-bracket-syntax-when-calling-createelement