2d javascript array using json notation (help me clear up the confusion)

Question

I am writing Tetris in JavaScript as practice, and i am somewhat confused by the array notation that i am using. Here's the array that i have that stores all my pieces.

var pieces = [[[1,1],
               [1,1]],

              [[1,0],
               [1,0],
               [1,1]],

              [[0,1],
               [0,1],
               [1,1]],


              [[0,1,0],
               [1,1,1]],

              [[1,0],
               [1,1],
               [0,1]],

              [[0,1],
               [1,1],
               [1,0]]];

What is this notation called? How is this difference from just saying "new array()"?

Thank you!

Answer 1

This is an array literal, you create the array and supply the values in one go.

var a = []; is the same as var a = new Array();

But new Array() will give you an empty array, there is no way to supply values simultaneously the way you can with the literal syntax.

Answer 2

It's called JSON, Javascript Object Notation.