symbol(name)

The symbol() function creates a unique and immutable data type that can be used as an identifier for object properties. This is a wrapper around JavaScript's native Symbol functionality.

// Create a unique symbol
mySymbol = symbol()

Syntax

symbol()

Parameters

• none: This function does not take any parameters.

Return Value

Returns a new Symbol object.

Symbols are particularly useful for:

• Creating truly private or hidden properties

• Adding non-enumerable properties to objects

• Defining special behaviors for objects

Examples

Basic Symbol Creation

// Create a simple symbol
id = symbol()

Using Symbols as Object Keys

// Create a symbol for a "private" property
private_data = symbol()

// Create an object with both regular and symbol properties
object user = {
  name: "Alice",
  age: 25
}

// Add a property using the symbol as the key
user[private_data] = "Sensitive information"

// The symbol property won't show up in regular enumeration
each key user.getKeys() (
  log key  // Only outputs "name" and "age"
)

// But can be accessed directly
log user[private_data]  // "Sensitive information"

Notes

• Each symbol value is unique and immutable.

• Symbols are not automatically converted to strings when used with string operations.

• Symbols can be used to avoid property name collisions.

• Unlike JavaScript, OSL's implementation may have some differences in edge cases.