When should I use WeakMaps?

What are WeakMaps and when should I use them?

WeakMaps are collections of key-value pairs where keys are objects and values can be any value. You should use them when you want to associate data with an object without preventing that object from being garbage collected.

Can you give me an example of when WeakMaps are useful?

Sure! WeakMaps are useful for storing private data for objects. For instance, if you have a class and want to keep some internal state without exposing it, you can use a WeakMap to store that state.

What happens if I use regular Maps instead?

Using regular Maps will prevent the keys from being garbage collected, which can lead to memory leaks if the objects are no longer needed. WeakMaps allow for better memory management.

Are there any limitations to using WeakMaps?

Yes, WeakMaps only accept objects as keys and do not have methods like size or clear, since they are designed to be lightweight and memory-efficient.