How to copy/clone a hash/object in JQuery?
Yes, extend an empty object with the original one; that way, everything will simply be copied:
var clone = $.extend({}, settings);Extending some filled object with another, e.g.:
$.extend({a:1}, {b:2})will return:
{a:1, b:2}With the same logic:
$.extend({}, {foo:'bar', test:123})will return:
{foo:'bar', test:123}i.e. effectively a clone.
In a non jQuery way.
var newObj = {};Object.keys(settings).forEach(function(key) { newObj[ key ] = settings[ key ];}); This copies only the top-level properties. To copy hashes with nested objects as property values, you will need to use a recursive function.
NB: The Object.keys(settings) avoids the need for calling settings.hasOwnProperty(key).
var clone = $.extend(true, {}, settings);Set first argument to true.
EDIT: First argument true signifies deep copy. For given example in original question there is no need for deep copy since there are simple immutable key-value pairs. For question in title - as a general case - use deep copy. Otherwise you get half-copy.