String.prototype.at()

The at() method takes an integer value and returns a new String consisting of the single UTF-16 code unit located at the specified offset. This method allows for positive and negative integers. Negative integers count back from the last string character.

let character = string.at(index)

index

The index (position) of the string character to be returned. Supports relative indexing from the end of the string when passed a negative index; i.e. if a negative number is used, the character returned will be found by counting back from the end of the string.

A String consisting of the single UTF-16 code unit located at the specified position. Returns undefined if the given index can not be found.

The following example provides a function which returns the last character found in a specified string.

// A function which returns the last character of a given string
function returnLast(arr) {
  return arr.at(-1);
}

let invoiceRef = 'myinvoice01';

console.log( returnLast(invoiceRef) );
// Logs: '1'

invoiceRef = 'myinvoice02';

console.log( returnLast(invoiceRef) );
// Logs: '2'

Here we compare different ways to select the penultimate (last but one) character of a String. Whilst all below methods are valid, it highlights the succinctness and readability of the at() method.

const myString = 'Every green bus drives fast.';

// Using length property and charAt() method
const lengthWay = myString.charAt(myString.length-2);
console.log(lengthWay); // Logs: 't'

// Using slice() method
const sliceWay = myString.slice(-2, -1);
console.log(sliceWay); // Logs: 't'

// Using at() method
const atWay = myString.at(-2);
console.log(atWay); // Logs: 't'

• A polyfill for the at() method.
• String.prototype.indexOf()
• String.prototype.lastIndexOf()
• String.prototype.charCodeAt()
• String.prototype.codePointAt()
• String.prototype.split()