allKeys

AllKeys is a term used in programming to describe a function or utility that collects the property names (keys) associated with a value. It is not a standard language feature, but a convention adopted by libraries and codebases to offer a convenient way to enumerate keys in a data structure. The exact behavior of an allKeys function varies by implementation: some versions return only the object’s own keys, others include keys from the entire prototype chain, and still others may expose non-enumerable or symbol-keyed properties.

In JavaScript, key retrieval is distributed across several built-ins, which an allKeys utility may combine or extend. Object.keys(obj) returns enumerable own properties, Object.getOwnPropertyNames(obj) includes all own properties (enumerable and non-enumerable), and Reflect.ownKeys(obj) returns all own property keys, including symbols. An allKeys function might walk up the prototype chain to accumulate keys from prototypes, or it might limit itself to the object’s own properties, depending on the intended use. Some implementations also offer toggles to include or exclude symbol properties and to treat non-enumerable properties differently.

Typical use cases for an allKeys utility include debugging, data inspection, or preparing a map of properties for serialization, validation, or transformation. Because behavior is not standardized, developers should consult the specific library’s documentation to understand what keys are returned and in what order.

See also: Object.keys, Object.getOwnPropertyNames, Reflect.ownKeys, and key enumeration in prototype chains.