What are WeakMaps in JavaScript?

Can you explain what WeakMaps are in JavaScript?

Sure! WeakMaps are a collection of key-value pairs where the keys are objects and the values can be any value. They are similar to Maps, but with some important differences.

What are the main differences between WeakMaps and regular Maps?

The main differences are that WeakMaps only accept objects as keys, and the keys are weakly referenced, meaning they can be garbage collected if there are no other references to them.

When would I use a WeakMap instead of a Map?

You would use a WeakMap when you want to associate data with an object without preventing that object from being garbage collected. This is useful for memory management.

Can you give me an example of how to use a WeakMap?

Certainly! Here's a simple example:

const weakMap = new WeakMap();
const obj = {};
weakMap.set(obj, 'some value');
console.log(weakMap.get(obj)); // Output: 'some value'