topic How to make Associative Array to return key value for non-existing key? in Discussions

How to make Associative Array to return key value for non-existing key?

miguello — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:12:53 GMT

Folks,

Is there any way to make a default value in associated array dynamic?

Meaning that if you try to access a key that does not exist, it returns not a static default value, but some lambda function, for instance - the key itself? Or key*2, or key||"_string".

Re: How to make Associative Array to return key value for non-existing key?

jthi — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:23:12 GMT

I don't think you can make the returned value dynamic. You could use Try(), but I think a function could be better option to handle the missing values

Names Default To Here(1);
ex = Associative Array({"red", "blue"}, {1, 2});

Try(ex["green"], "green");