Lodash _.toPlainObject() Lang Method

Posted in lodash Tutorial

Updated on Mar 14, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 26 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

In the vast landscape of JavaScript development, Lodash stands out as a comprehensive utility library, offering a myriad of functions to simplify and enhance everyday coding tasks. Among its versatile set of methods is _.toPlainObject(), a utility in the "Lang" category.

This method serves to transform values into plain objects, providing a straightforward approach to object creation and manipulation.

🧠 Understanding _.toPlainObject() Method

The _.toPlainObject() method in Lodash is designed to convert values into plain objects. Whether dealing with primitive values, arrays, or objects with prototype chains, this method ensures that the result is a plain, vanilla JavaScript object, free from any inherited properties.

💡 Syntax

The syntax for the _.toPlainObject() method is straightforward:

syntax.js

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_.toPlainObject(value)

value: The value to convert to a plain object.

📝 Example

Let's dive into a simple example to illustrate the usage of the _.toPlainObject() method:

example.js

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const _ = require('lodash');

const complexValue = {
    prop1: 'Hello',
    prop2: ['world'],
    prop3: { nested: 'objects' },
};

const plainObject = _.toPlainObject(complexValue);

console.log(plainObject);
// Output: { prop1: 'Hello', prop2: ['world'], prop3: { nested: 'objects' } }

In this example, the complexValue object, which includes an array and a nested object, is transformed into a plain object using _.toPlainObject().

🏆 Best Practices

When working with the _.toPlainObject() method, consider the following best practices:

Consistent Object Transformation:

Use _.toPlainObject() to ensure consistency when transforming values into objects. Whether the input is a primitive, array, or object, this method guarantees that the result is always a plain object.

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const stringValue = 'Hello, Lodash!';
const arrayValue = [1, 2, 3];

const plainStringObject = _.toPlainObject(stringValue);
const plainArrayObject = _.toPlainObject(arrayValue);

console.log(plainStringObject); // Output: { '0': 'H', '1': 'e', '2': 'l', '3': 'l', '4': 'o', '5': ',', '6': ' ', '7': 'L', '8': 'o', '9': 'd', '10': 'a', '11': 's', '12': 'h', '13': '!', length: 14 }
console.log(plainArrayObject);  // Output: { '0': 1, '1': 2, '2': 3, length: 3 }

Handling Prototype Chains:

_.toPlainObject() is particularly useful when dealing with objects that have prototype chains. It creates a clean, prototype-free object, avoiding any unintended inheritance.

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function CustomObject() {
  this.customProp = 'I am custom!';
}

CustomObject.prototype.additionalProp = 'I should not be here!';

const customInstance = new CustomObject();
const plainCustomObject = _.toPlainObject(customInstance);

console.log(plainCustomObject);
// Output: { customProp: 'I am custom!' }

Transforming Values with Prototype Properties:

When working with values that have prototype properties, use _.toPlainObject() to create a new object without inherited properties.

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const objectWithPrototype = Object.create({ prototypeProp: 'Inherited property' });
objectWithPrototype.ownProp = 'Own property';

const plainObjectWithoutPrototype = _.toPlainObject(objectWithPrototype);

console.log(plainObjectWithoutPrototype);
// Output: { ownProp: 'Own property' }

📚 Use Cases

Object Transformation:

_.toPlainObject() is invaluable for consistent object transformation, ensuring that any input value is converted into a plain object.
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```
const someValue = /* ...retrieve a value dynamically... */;
const plainObjectValue = _.toPlainObject(someValue);

console.log(plainObjectValue);
```

Simplifying Object Copying:

When copying objects and desiring a clean, prototype-free result, _.toPlainObject() can be employed to simplify the copying process.

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const originalObject = { key: 'value', nested: { innerKey: 'innerValue' } };
const copiedObject = _.toPlainObject(originalObject);

console.log(copiedObject);
// Output: { key: 'value', nested: { innerKey: 'innerValue' } }

Clean Object Creation:

For scenarios where a new, clean object is needed, _.toPlainObject() ensures that the result is void of any prototype chain or inherited properties.
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```
const emptyObject = _.toPlainObject(null);

console.log(emptyObject);
// Output: {}
```

🎉 Conclusion

The _.toPlainObject() method in Lodash is a versatile utility in the "Lang" category, providing a reliable means to transform values into plain, prototype-free objects. Whether dealing with inconsistent input types or aiming for clean object creation, this method simplifies object manipulation in JavaScript.

By adhering to best practices and exploring diverse use cases, you can harness the full potential of the _.toPlainObject() method in your Lodash projects.