Typed Arrays
in
Arrays in JavaScript
JavaScript arrays are list-like objects that provide methods for traversal and mutation. Indexed with integers (n >= 0) and the type of elements is not bound to be of similar type.
Arrays are optimised by JavaScript engines to fit for best performance.
So what do we mean by Typed Arrays?
These are array-like views of binary data buffer.
The major difference between normal arrays and typed arrays is the the constraint of element types.
Typed array views only allow elements of similar types based on the specified type and the number of elements is also fixed based on the length specified for the underlying buffer.
Why Typed Arrays?
They provide best performance as compared to standard arrays. Though the modern engines provide best possible optimization for simple arrays that contain similar typed elements
(v8 optimization of arrays: https://v8.dev/blog/elements-kinds)
Strict in nature for operations, like write, which avoids performance bottlenecks.
Typed Arrays are used by WebGL, Canvas, Fetch API, Web workers, File API etc
Available types of Typed Arrays
8/32 bit Signed/unsigned integers
32/64 bit float
64 bit Signed/unsigned big integers
Example
const 8BitIntArray = new Int8Array(4);
console.log(8BitIntArray); // array with 4 zeros
8BitIntArray[0] = 22; // now first element is 22
8BitIntArray[6] = 1; // no change
!Questions?
Typed Arrays in JavaScript
By shahnawaz19415
