Learn how to add an element to the end of a JavaScript array with push.

If you’ve been exploring the Revature topics long enough, you’ve probably run into a tiny but mighty question: how do you add something to the end of an array in JavaScript? It sounds trivial, but getting it right is a staple skill for any coder who wants to build clean, efficient logic. Here’s the quick version, with a little backstage walk-through so you remember it when you actually need it.

Question that pops up in many quick quizzes

Which method is commonly used to add an element at the end of an array in JavaScript?

• A. push()

• B. add()

• C. append()

• D. insert()

The correct answer is A: push(). This method is the trusty go-to for appending items to the end of an array. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it’s part of the core JavaScript toolkit you’ll use again and again.

Why push() feels like the natural first choice

Let’s start with what push() does. You call it on an array, pass one or more elements, and voilà—the elements get appended to the end. The original array is changed in place (mutated), which is sometimes exactly what you want when you’re streaming data or building up a list as your program runs.

A quick, practical example

Suppose you’ve got an array of numbers:

let myArray = [1, 2, 3];

If you want to add a new number at the end, you’d write:

myArray.push(4);

Now myArray is [1, 2, 3, 4].

And here’s a neat perk: push() can take multiple elements in one go. If you do:

myArray.push(5, 6);

the array becomes [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The function returns the new length of the array, so you can check that the operation succeeded without needing another line of code.

A caveat worth noting

One small but important detail: push() returns the new length of the array, not the array itself. If you try something like let result = myArray.push(7); you’ll end up with result equal to 7 and myArray updated to [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. This distinction trips people up sometimes, especially when you’re juggling arrays inside functions or chaining operations.

A quick detour to clarify the other options

In the list of choices, you’ll notice add(), append(), and insert() as the other options. In JavaScript, those aren’t built-in array methods. It’s easy to mix them up if you’ve done similar tasks in other languages:

• add() is common in sets, not arrays, in JavaScript land.

• append() is a familiar term from languages like Python (where list.append exists), but not for JavaScript arrays.

• insert() shows up in some languages for inserting at a specific index, yet JavaScript’s Array prototype doesn’t provide a generic insert() method.

So while those names exist in other programming ecosystems, they aren’t your end-of-array tools in vanilla JavaScript. In the browser console or in Node.js, you’ll reach for push() almost every time you’re growing a list from the end.

When you might prefer other array tricks

Push() is great for adding items to the end, but there are times you’ll want different behavior:

• If you need to add at the beginning, you’d use unshift(). It mutates the array by placing new elements at the front and shifting existing ones to higher indices.

• If you’re combining arrays, you might reach for concat(), which returns a new array rather than mutating the original one.

• If you want to insert at a specific position, you can use splice(), which is a bit more powerful (and a bit messier) because you specify the index and how many elements to remove.

These tools aren’t in conflict with push(); they’re complementary tricks in a coder’s toolbox. Knowing when to use each one makes your code clearer and often faster.

A real-world flavor: why this matters in your Revature journey

You’re likely going to build features that collect data over time—user inputs, responses from an API, items in a shopping cart, tasks in a queue. Push() gives you a predictable, straightforward way to grow that list at the end. It’s the kind of operation you want to be comfortable with before you tackle larger data flows or more complex state management.

Plus, many interview-friendly problems lean on this exact pattern: start with a base array, append items as they come, and then maybe inspect the final length or the final array shape. Being fluent with push() helps you speak clearly about what your code does, which is exactly the kind of clarity that recruiters and teams look for.

Tiny exercises to cement the idea (no stress, just rhythm)

• Exercise 1: Start with [10, 20, 30]. Push 40. What’s the final array? What’s the new length?

Hint: it’s a one-liner, but the result is a two-part payoff: the updated array and the length.

• Exercise 2: Take [1, 2, 3]. Push 4, 5, 6. How many elements are now in the array? What’s the return value of push() in this case?

• Exercise 3: What happens if you push an array, like myArray.push([7, 8])? Try it and watch the result. It’s easy to assume you’ll get a flat list, but you actually end up with a nested array in that spot.

If you’re coding along in your favorite IDE, you’ll feel the rhythm—the way the array grows one item at a time, the moment you see the new length printed back at you, and the mental click when you realize the array has become a bit more valuable with each push.

A few practical tips you’ll likely appreciate

• Consistency matters: if your function returns something, think about whether you want it to return the new length (like push does) or the updated array. Those are two different ideas, and mixing them up can lead to subtle bugs.

• Readability wins: when you’re adding a single element, push(element) is often clearer than an ad-hoc concatenation or a complicated splice. Simple, readable code is your best friend in both junior and senior roles.

• Don’t overdo it: when you need to add many items, you can push them all at once with multiple arguments, but for very large collections you might prefer building an array first and then pushing it in a single operation or using spread syntax in modern contexts like this: myArray.push(...newItems). That’s a neat pattern you’ll see in real code.

Where to look if you want to learn more

If you want a deeper dive, the MDN Web Docs for Array.prototype.push are a solid stop. It’s a clear reference with examples, edge cases, and notes about the return value. Practical knowledge like this shows up in day-to-day coding tasks, so it’s worth a bookmark.

You’ll also run into push when you’re tinkering with data structures, debugging sessions, or learning about how arrays are stored in memory. It’s a building block, but it amplifies your understanding of how data flows through a program. And honestly, that’s the kind of small, reliable knowledge that compounds as you level up.

Bringing it home: the core takeaway

If you remember one thing about adding items to the end of an array in JavaScript, let it be this: push() is the standard, reliable method. It mutates the original array, accepts one or more elements, and returns the new length. The other names—add, append, insert—don’t apply to JavaScript arrays in the same way and can lead you astray if you confuse them with push().

As you continue exploring the Revature topics, keep this mental model in your back pocket: you’re building sequences, lists, and queues that evolve as your program runs. The end of the line isn’t a dead end—it’s a new starting point for whatever comes next. And push() is the simplest, most dependable way to get there.

If you want a quick recap in plain terms: you push to the end, you can push multiple items, you’ll get back the new length, and you’ll mutate the original array along the way. That combination is what makes push() so consistently useful across projects, from small scripts to larger applications.

So next time you’re scripting a tiny tool, a data collector, or a feature that gathers items over time, remember the little hero at the end of the line: push(). It’s one of those small, everyday tools that quietly enables bigger ideas without demanding the spotlight. And that’s exactly the kind of clarity top developers bring to every line of code.