serialization - How can I display a JavaScript object?

Question

How do I display the content of a JavaScript object in a string format like when we alert a variable?

The same formatted way I want to display an object.

Answer 1

Use native JSON.stringify method. Works with nested objects and all major browsers support this method.

str = JSON.stringify(obj);
str = JSON.stringify(obj, null, 4); // (Optional) beautiful indented output.
console.log(str); // Logs output to dev tools console.
alert(str); // Displays output using window.alert()

Link to Mozilla API Reference and other examples.

obj = JSON.parse(str); // Reverses above operation (Just in case if needed.)

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Use a custom JSON.stringify replacer if you encounter this Javascript error

"Uncaught TypeError: Converting circular structure to JSON"