Last

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

Syntax

Last(array)

Parameters

• array (array): The array to access

Returns

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

Description

Provides safe, non-destructive access to the last element of an array. Unlike direct index access (array[Length(array) - 1]), 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 last = Last(numbers)
# last is 9
# numbers is still [5, 2, 8, 1, 9]

var items = ["apple", "banana", "orange"]
var last = Last(items)
# last is "orange"

var empty = []
var last = Last(empty)
# last is null

# Safe access pattern
var stack = GetRecentActions()
if Last(stack) != null then
    var latest = Last(stack)
    # Process latest action
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 and Sort
var orders = [
    { "id": 1, "amount": 50.00, "date": "2024-01-01" },
    { "id": 2, "amount": 75.00, "date": "2024-01-02" },
    { "id": 3, "amount": 100.00, "date": "2024-01-03" }
]

var highestOrder = Last(Sort(orders))
# Returns the order with highest natural sort order

# Safe peek before Pop
var stack = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
var top = Last(stack)
if top != null then
    var removed = Pop(stack)
    # removed is 5, stack is [1, 2, 3, 4]
end

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
• More readable than array[Length(array) - 1]
• Can be elegantly composed with Sort, Filter, and other array functions
• Use with Pop to safely check before removing elements