First

Returns the first element of an array without modifying it, or null if the array is empty.

Syntax

First(array)

Parameters

• array (array): The array to access

Returns

• any: The first element of the array, or null if the array is empty

Description

Provides safe, non-destructive access to the first element of an array. Unlike direct index access (array[0]), this function returns null for empty arrays instead of throwing an error, making it ideal for defensive programming patterns.

The array is never modified by this operation.

Examples

var numbers = [5, 2, 8, 1, 9]
var first = First(numbers)
# first is 5
# numbers is still [5, 2, 8, 1, 9]

var items = ["apple", "banana", "orange"]
var first = First(items)
# first is "apple"

var empty = []
var first = First(empty)
# first is null

# Safe access pattern
var queue = GetWorkItems()
if First(queue) != null then
    var item = First(queue)
    # Process item
end

# Elegant minimum/maximum patterns
var numbers = [5, 2, 8, 1, 9]
var min = First(Sort(numbers))
var max = Last(Sort(numbers))
# min is 1, max is 9

# Combining with Filter
var users = [
    { "name": "Alice", "status": "active" },
    { "name": "Bob", "status": "inactive" },
    { "name": "Carol", "status": "active" }
]

var firstActive = First(Filter(users, "status", "==", "active"))
# firstActive is { "name": "Alice", "status": "active" }

Notes

• The array is never modified
• Returns null for empty arrays (does not throw an error)
• Safer than direct index access for potentially empty arrays
• Can be elegantly composed with Sort, Filter, and other array functions
• Use with Pop to safely check before removing elements