What are the performance differences between Map and Object in JavaScript?

What are the performance differences between Map and Object in JavaScript?

In JavaScript, Maps and Objects are both key-value stores, but they have different performance characteristics. Maps are generally faster for frequent additions and removals of key-value pairs, while Objects are faster for static key-value pairs.

Can you explain why Maps are faster for additions and removals?

Maps are optimized for dynamic key-value pairs, using a hash table under the hood, which allows for quicker lookups, additions, and deletions compared to Objects, which can have performance hits due to prototype chain lookups.

Are there any scenarios where I should prefer using an Object over a Map?

Yes, if you need a simple key-value store with string keys and don't require the additional features of Maps, such as iteration order or complex keys, Objects can be more straightforward and memory-efficient.

What about memory usage? How do they compare?

Maps generally use more memory than Objects due to their additional features and optimizations. However, the difference may not be significant unless you're dealing with a large number of entries.