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JavaScript Array shift() Method

< JavaScript Array Reference

Example

Remove the first item of an array:

var fruits = ["Banana", "Orange", "Apple", "Mango"];
fruits.shift();

The result of fruits will be:

Orange,Apple,Mango
Try it Yourself »

Definition and Usage

The shift() method removes the first item of an array, and returns that item.

Note: This method changes the length of an array!

Tip: To remove the last item of an array, use the pop() method.


Browser Support

The numbers in the table specify the first browser version that fully supports the method.

Method
shift() Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Syntax

array.shift()

Parameters

None

Technical Details

Return Value: Any type*, representing the removed array item. *An array item can be a string, a number, an array, a boolean, or any other object types that are allowed in an array.
JavaScript Version: 1.2

< JavaScript Array Reference