Whatever message this page gives is out now! Go check it out!
symmetricDifference
Last update:
May 18, 2026
Returns elements in either set but not in both.
Description
Returns the symmetric difference of two sets. The function returns elements that are present in either set, but not in both.
Returns
A new Set.
Category
ColdFusion Set member methods
Function syntax
set.symmetricDifference(otherSet)Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| otherSet | Another Set. |
See also
Example
The following example uses this API in
cfscript (syntax: set.symmetricDifference(otherSet)).
<cfscript>
setA = setNew();
setA.add(1);
setA.add(2);
setA.add(3);
setB = setNew();
setB.add(2);
setB.add(3);
setB.add(4);
symmetricSet = setA.symmetricDifference(setB);
// 1 and 4 are only on one side; 2 and 3 are in both → excluded
writeOutput(symmetricSet.size()); // 2
</cfscript>
Real-world example
Compare yesterday versus today user-ID snapshots to find accounts added or removed.
<cfscript>
/**
* Symmetric difference highlights IDs that appear in only one snapshot
* (new or removed compared to pairwise “in both” sets).
*/
yesterday = setNew();
yesterday.add("user1");
yesterday.add("user2");
today = setNew();
today.add("user2");
today.add("user3");
changed = yesterday.symmetricDifference(today);
// user1 only yesterday, user3 only today
writeOutput(changed.size()); // 2
</cfscript>
We're glad. Tell us how this page helped.
We're sorry. Can you tell us what didn't work for you?
Share additional feedback to help us improve.
0/255
|
