Convert a given string so it can be used as the unique key/id of a JavaScript object. If no string is provided, a random string is generated.

generateObjectKey.js

/**
 * Converts a given string so it can be used as the key of a JavaScript object.
 * If no string is provided, a random string is generated.
 */
function generateObjectKey(string) {
  var key;

  if (typeof string === "undefined") {
    string = Math.random().toString(36).substr(2, 5);
  }

  // Remove underscore and all non-alphanumeric characters
  key = string.replace(/[_\W]+/g, "");

  return key;
}