WeakRef.prototype.deref()

The deref method returns the WeakRef instance's target object, or undefined if the target object has been garbage-collected.

Syntax

deref()

Return value

The target object of the WeakRef, or undefined if the object has been garbage-collected.

Notes

See the Notes on WeakRefs section of the WeakRef page for some important notes.

Examples

Using deref

See the Examples section of the WeakRef page for the complete example.

const tick = () => {
  // Get the element from the weak reference, if it still exists
  const element = this.ref.deref();
  if (element) {
    element.textContent = ++this.count;
  } else {
    // The element doesn't exist anymore
    console.log("The element is gone.");
    this.stop();
    this.ref = null;
  }
};

Specifications

Browser compatibility

Desktop Mobile
Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari WebView Android Chrome Android Firefox for Android Opera Android Safari on IOS Samsung Internet
deref
84
84
79
No
No
14.1
84
84
79
No
14.5
14.0

See also

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Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/WeakRef/deref