Remove element from JSON Object

Question

I have a json array which looks something like this:

  {
    "id": 1,
    "children": [
    {
        "id": 2,
        "children": {
            "id": 3,
            "children": {
                "id": 4,
                "children": ""
            }
        }
    },
    {
        "id": 2,
        "children": {
            "id": 3,
            "children": {
                "id": 4,
                "children": ""
            }
        }
    },
    {
        "id": 2,
        "children": {
            "id": 3,
            "children": {
                "id": 4,
                "children": ""
            }
        }
    },
    {
        "id": 2,
        "children": {
            "id": 3,
            "children": {
                "id": 4,
                "children": ""
            }
        }
    },
    {
        "id": 2,
        "children": {
            "id": 3,
            "children": {
                "id": 4,
                "children": ""
            }
        }
    },
    {
        "id": 2,
        "children": {
            "id": 3,
            "children": {
                "id": 4,
                "children": ""
            }
        }
    },
    {
        "id": 2,
        "children": {
            "id": 3,
            "children": {
                "id": 4,
                "children": ""
            }
        }
    }]
}

I would like to have a function which removes the elements which has the "children" empty. How can I do it? I am not asking for the answer, only suggestions

@magritte stop with this redundant question. he said he is asking for suggestions. not the answer/ — Royi Namir
– Royi Namir, Commented Mar 16, 2013 at 15:57
i know that is not a valid json ... i just wanted to give an example of how it looks. — Stack Overfolow
– Stack Overfolow, Commented Mar 16, 2013 at 16:01
If you say you've got an array, please post an array. And check out the filter array function — Bergi
– Bergi, Commented Mar 16, 2013 at 16:19

Lekensteyn · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-16 16:12:02Z

71

To iterate through the keys of an object, use a for .. in loop:

for (var key in json_obj) {
    if (json_obj.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
        // do something with `key'
    }
}

To test all elements for empty children, you can use a recursive approach: iterate through all elements and recursively test their children too.

Removing a property of an object can be done by using the delete keyword:

var someObj = {
    "one": 123,
    "two": 345
};
var key = "one";
delete someObj[key];
console.log(someObj); // prints { "two": 345 }

Documentation:

edited Mar 16, 2013 at 16:12

answered Mar 16, 2013 at 16:05

Lekensteyn

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4 Comments

Emissary Over a year ago

+1 ... I've been coding in Javascript for years and I didn't even know the delete operator existed?!

magritte Over a year ago

I think he should use the splice() method rather than delete since the children are held in an array?

Lekensteyn Over a year ago

@magritte He has listen both arrays and objects. I'm waiting for some clarification, but yes, if there are arrays he can use splice to remove elements or use filter to iterate and remove stuff.

Royi Namir Over a year ago

+1 it is the place to clear out that delete wont delete an array element from array but replace it with undefined. delete is only for deleting props from object.

Anoop · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-16 16:16:18Z

3

JSfiddle

function deleteEmpty(obj){
        for(var k in obj)
         if(k == "children"){
             if(obj[k]){
                     deleteEmpty(obj[k]);
             }else{
                   delete obj.children;
              } 
         }
    }

for(var i=0; i< a.children.length; i++){
 deleteEmpty(a.children[i])
}

answered Mar 16, 2013 at 16:16

Anoop

23.2k10 gold badges65 silver badges79 bronze badges

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