It creates a new Array object, copying the content of arguments. The arguments object is an Array object, though it supports array style indexing. This is a convenience function so that people who want to call Array object methods can do so, without having to do that copying to an actual Array object in JS.

If I understand correctly that means that:

arrayfromargs() creates a new array (by copying, not reference) of "arguments". this means when I assign it to something like newArray[0] = arrayfromargs(arguments); newArray[0] is now referencing the array created by arrayfromargs(). If I send another list to my function, a new array is created and, let's say put in newArray[1], but since everything is done by copying already, [0] and [1] are pointing to two different arrays in memory.

Am I understanding this correctly? Thanks!!

Yes. Please let us know if you experience otherwise.

However, please note that in JS array copying is not "deep" so if you have an array of arrays, only the top layer is distinct. Hopefully that doesn't lead to more confusion, but it's a general JS characteristic and plenty of more information on the subject online. e.g. quick google on "array deep copy in javascript"

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/597588/how-do-you-clone-an-array-of-objects-in-javascript

Thanks!

eek, so just realised that calling this as a matter of course imediately doubles gc work on every call.... glad i found this