JavaScript - remove last item from array

In this article, we would like to show you how to remove the last item from array using JavaScript​​​​​​.

1. Using splice() method

In this example, to remove the last element from the array we use splice() method. 

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

var array = ['a', 'b', 'c'];

array.splice(-1, 1); // splice(start, deleteCount)

console.log(array); // [a,b]

Note:

array.splice(-1, 1); is equal to array.splice(array.length - 1, 1);.

2. Using pop() method

In this example, we use pop() method that removes the last element from array and returns that element.

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

var array = ['a', 'b', 'c'];

array.pop();

console.log(array); // [a,b]

3. Using slice() method

In this example, we use slice() method to create a shallow copy of an array from indexStart to indexEnd (not included).

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

var array = ['a', 'b', 'c'];

var newArray = array.slice(0, -1); // slice(indexStart, indexEnd)

console.log(newArray); // [a,b]

Warning:

This approach doesn't really remove the last element, it copies the array omitting it.

References

1. Array.prototype.splice() - JavaScript | MDN
2. Array.prototype.slice() - JavaScript | MDN
3. Array.prototype.pop() - JavaScript | MDN