How to convert a JavaScript Symbol to a string without the "Symbol(" prefix?

Question

For example, if I use toString():

let s = Symbol('abc')
console.log(s.toString())

I get:

'Symbol(abc)'

How to get just the:

'abc'

part instead?

I know how to do this with string manipulation, but I would hope for a potentially more efficient solution that directly obtains the value.

I am using Symbol to implement an Enum: What is the preferred syntax for defining enums in JavaScript? and want to serialize it with a toJSON() on the containing class.

Tested in Node.js v10.15.1.

@CertainPerformance I would hope for a solution that does not involve possibly inefficient string manipulation. — Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com, Oct 22 '19 at 08:16
Slicing a string isn't inefficient at all. If you're running into performance issues, run a performance test to identify parts of your script that are taking up resources - string slicing will almost certainly not be one of them. (Worrying about it is quite premature optimization) — CertainPerformance, Oct 22 '19 at 08:17

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 22 '19 at 08:24

5

Use description to get value

s.description

As when we create Symbol we pass description of that symbol.

answered Oct 22 '19 at 08:24

abby37

Andrea · Answer 2 · 2019-10-22T08:25:20.033

3

I would use s.description. It will return the description of the Symbol.

A deeper explanation here.

edited Oct 22 '19 at 08:25

answered Oct 22 '19 at 08:23

Andrea

in later browsers only (not even edge) – Bravo Oct 22 '19 at 08:24
@Bravo yes, seems not standardized yet from the "stage 4" proposal part of the page? But good to know. – Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com Oct 22 '19 at 08:30
it will become standard - but you know it won't work in anything from Microsoft – Bravo Oct 22 '19 at 08:34
@Bravo ... not until the Chromium based version of Edge is released anyway. – phuzi Oct 22 '19 at 08:54

2 Answers2