Why JSON.parse('[123]') returns 123?

Question

I don't understand why JSON.parse('[123]') returns an integer 123 ? Shouldn't it return an array [123] ?

Here is the fiddle .

How can I get an array of a single integer after JSON.parse() ?

Answer 1

It is an array, only when it is printed, the brackets are not printed.

Take a look at this one with two items: http://jsfiddle.net/2z355/4/

It prints as 123,456 , also without brackets.

el.innerHTML = JSON.parse('[123]');  // The one item: 123
el.innerHTML = JSON.parse('[123]')[0]; // First item of array: 123
el.innerHTML = JSON.parse('[123,456]') // Both values: 123,456;
el.innerHTML = JSON.parse('[123,456]')[0] // First item: 123;

And also

el.innerHTML = typeof JSON.parse('123'); // number
el.innerHTML = typeof JSON.parse('[123]'); // object *)

I'd have expected 'array' there, but it turns out to be an object. Maybe I've been PHPing too much lately. Nevertheless, it's not a number. :) Fortunately the next line will work (thanks to icktoofay).

el.innerHTML = JSON.parse('[123]') instanceof Array; // true

Answer 2

It is an array of a single integer; it's just that a quirk of JavaScript makes the string representation of an array be the string representations of the elements joined by commas, without the [ and ] .

You know it's an array because

1. result instanceof Array
2. JSON.stringify(result) === '[123]'