Best way to access twine objects with javascript?

hypnagogia

This is something that has been bugging me recently. I've got a way that works, but its not what I would call a good way.

Here's what I know works:
Twine

<<set $cat to {
    name: "felix",
    //...
}>>
<<set $dog to {
    name: "lassie",
    //...
}>>

Javascript

function GetPetName(pet){
    var petname = "";
    if(pet == "cat"){
        petname = state.active.variables.cat.name;
    }else if(pet == "dog"){
        petname = state.active.variables.dog.name;
    }
}

And here's what I'd like to do:

function GetPetName(pet){
    var newpet = state.active.variables.pet;
    var petname = newpet.name;
}

I know the second method doesn't work as I've written it, but I hope its clear what I'm going for.
Is there a way to do it like that? In a function where I need to reference the object a lot, it would be much cleaner to do it that way than having to put state.active.variables.... every time.

TheMadExile

You want the square bracket notation. For example:

function GetPetName(petType) {
	var pet = state.active.variables[petType];
	//…
}

And if this is actually for SugarCube 2, I'd recommend the shorter: (note the case difference, State vs. state)

function GetPetName(petType) {
	var pet = State.variables[petType];
	//…
}

hypnagogia

Thanks, your first method works (I'll try it in SugarCube 2 another time)
I'll have to compare this to what I tried last night once I'm back on that machine, because I could have sworn I tried it the same way you've presented it here. Probably missed something obvious.

edit: I had a follow up question but I realized my error immediately after posting it.