Set vs Array in JavaScript: When to Use Which?

JavaScript provides two powerful data structures for storing collections: Set and Array. While both can store multiple values, their unique characteristics make them better suited for different scenarios. Let’s explore when and why to choose one over the other.

1. Unique value by default

Set The most notable feature is its automatic handling of duplicates.

<code class="language-javascript">// 数组允许重复
const arr = [1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4];
console.log(arr); // [1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4]

// Set 自动删除重复项
const set = new Set([1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4]);
console.log([...set]); // [1, 2, 3, 4]

// 使用 Set 从数组中删除重复项
const uniqueArray = [...new Set(arr)];
console.log(uniqueArray); // [1, 2, 3, 4]</code>

2. Element checking performance

Set provides faster lookup times for checking if an element exists.

<code class="language-javascript">const largeArray = Array.from({ length: 1000000 }, (_, i) => i);
const largeSet = new Set(largeArray);

// 数组查找
console.time('Array includes');
console.log(largeArray.includes(999999));
console.timeEnd('Array includes');

// Set 查找
console.time('Set has');
console.log(largeSet.has(999999));
console.timeEnd('Set has');

// Set 明显更快，因为它内部使用哈希表</code>

3. Available methods and operations

Array provides more built-in methods for data manipulation, while Set focuses on uniqueness management.

<code class="language-javascript">// 数组方法
const arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
arr.push(6);                    // 添加到末尾
arr.pop();                      // 从末尾移除
arr.unshift(0);                 // 添加到开头
arr.shift();                    // 从开头移除
arr.splice(2, 1, 'new');       // 替换元素
arr.slice(1, 3);               // 提取部分
arr.map(x => x * 2);           // 转换元素
arr.filter(x => x > 2);        // 过滤元素
arr.reduce((a, b) => a + b);   // 归约为单个值

// Set 方法
const set = new Set([1, 2, 3, 4, 5]);
set.add(6);                    // 添加值
set.delete(6);                 // 删除值
set.has(5);                    // 检查是否存在
set.clear();                   // 删除所有值</code>

4. Sequential and indexed access

Array maintains insertion order and provides index-based access, while Set only maintains insertion order.

<code class="language-javascript">// 数组索引访问
const arr = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
console.log(arr[0]);      // 'a'
console.log(arr[1]);      // 'b'
arr[1] = 'x';            // 直接修改

// Set 没有索引访问
const set = new Set(['a', 'b', 'c']);
console.log([...set][0]); // 需要先转换为数组
// 不允许直接修改索引</code>

5. Memory usage

Set typically uses more memory than Array but provides faster lookups.

<code class="language-javascript">// 内存比较（粗略示例）
const numbers = Array.from({ length: 1000 }, (_, i) => i);

// 数组内存
const arr = [...numbers];
console.log(process.memoryUsage().heapUsed);

// Set 内存
const set = new Set(numbers);
console.log(process.memoryUsage().heapUsed);
// 由于哈希表结构，Set 通常使用更多内存</code>

6. Common use cases

When to use arrays:

<code class="language-javascript">// 1. 当顺序和索引访问很重要时
const playlist = ['song1.mp3', 'song2.mp3', 'song3.mp3'];
const currentTrack = playlist[currentIndex];

// 2. 当您需要数组方法时
const numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
const doubled = numbers.map(x => x * 2);
const sum = numbers.reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0);

// 3. 当重复值可以接受或需要时
const votes = ['yes', 'no', 'yes', 'yes', 'no'];
const yesVotes = votes.filter(vote => vote === 'yes').length;</code>

When to use Set:

<code class="language-javascript">// 1. 当跟踪唯一值时
const uniqueVisitors = new Set();
function logVisitor(userId) {
    uniqueVisitors.add(userId);
    console.log(`Total unique visitors: ${uniqueVisitors.size}`);
}

// 2. 用于快速查找操作
const allowedUsers = new Set(['user1', 'user2', 'user3']);
function checkAccess(userId) {
    return allowedUsers.has(userId);
}

// 3. 用于删除重复项
function getUniqueHashtags(posts) {
    const uniqueTags = new Set();
    posts.forEach(post => {
        post.hashtags.forEach(tag => uniqueTags.add(tag));
    });
    return [...uniqueTags];
}</code>

Convert between Set and Array

You can easily switch between Set and Array as needed.

<code class="language-javascript">// 数组到 Set
const arr = [1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4];
const set = new Set(arr);

// Set 到数组 - 三种方法
const back1 = [...set];
const back2 = Array.from(set);
const back3 = Array.from(set.values());

// 用于数组去重
const deduped = [...new Set(arr)];</code>

Conclusion

Choose Array when you need:

• Index-based access
• Extensive array methods (map, reduce, filter, etc.)
• Duplicate value
• Memory efficiency
• Traditional iteration mode

Choose Set when you need:

• Unique values ​​only
• Quick search operation
• Simple add/delete operation
• Keep a list of unique items
• Quickly remove duplicates

Remember that you can switch between the two types at any time, so choose the one that best suits your current needs.

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