Calculate the total of array elements by using recursion, even if they are strings

Question

Calculate the total of array elements by using recursion, even if they are strings

Need to create a function that will return the sum of all elements in an array, but if the array contains strings like

["a","b","c"] // output : abc

Currently, I have this code:

 function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
          //your code
          if (array.length === 0 ) {
            return 0
          }
          
      return array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1))
    }

I am able to calculate the sum of numbers using recursion, however, when it's an array of strings like

array = ["a","b","c"]

it returns

// abc0

due to the if statement.. Is there a way to make it so that

if (array.length === 0) return nothing instead of a 0 (that only works for arrays of numbers)?

javascript arrays recursion

Answer 1

Answer №1

To optimize the function, it is recommended to promptly return the only value in the array when its length is 1 instead of waiting until the length reaches 0. This approach ensures that you are always summing compatible types, whether they are numbers or strings. Additionally, don't forget to include a test for an empty array to handle such scenarios appropriately. In this scenario, the expected output is 0.

function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  if (array.length === 0) {
    return 0;
  }
  if (array.length === 1) {
    return array[0];
  }
  return array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1))
}

console.log(calculateSumRecursion([1, 2, 3, 4, 5]));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion(['a', 'b', 'c']));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion([]));

Answer 2

To optimize the function, it is recommended to promptly return the only value in the array when its length is 1 instead of waiting until the length reaches 0. This approach ensures that you are always summing compatible types, whether they are numbers or strings. Additionally, don't forget to include a test for an empty array to handle such scenarios appropriately. In this scenario, the expected output is 0.

function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  if (array.length === 0) {
    return 0;
  }
  if (array.length === 1) {
    return array[0];
  }
  return array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1))
}

console.log(calculateSumRecursion([1, 2, 3, 4, 5]));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion(['a', 'b', 'c']));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion([]));

Answer 3

Answer №2

const nums = [5, 4, 3, 2, 1] // result : xyz
let total = calculateSumRecursive(nums);

function calculateSumRecursive (nums) {
    return nums.length ? nums.pop() + calculateSumRecursive(nums) : 0;
}

Splice approach

const nums = [5, 4, 3, 2, 1] // result : xyz
let total = calculateSumRecursive(nums);

function calculateSumRecursive (nums) {
    return nums.length ? nums[0] + calculateSumRecursive(nums.slice(1)) : 0;
}

Answer 4

const nums = [5, 4, 3, 2, 1] // result : xyz
let total = calculateSumRecursive(nums);

function calculateSumRecursive (nums) {
    return nums.length ? nums.pop() + calculateSumRecursive(nums) : 0;
}

Splice approach

const nums = [5, 4, 3, 2, 1] // result : xyz
let total = calculateSumRecursive(nums);

function calculateSumRecursive (nums) {
    return nums.length ? nums[0] + calculateSumRecursive(nums.slice(1)) : 0;
}

Answer 5

Answer №3

Update the code by replacing return 0 with return "" in order to include an empty string in the total.

Answer 6

Update the code by replacing return 0 with return "" in order to include an empty string in the total.

Answer 7

Answer №4

If the array is empty, make sure to return an empty string rather than zero.

When working with string operations, it is more appropriate to return an empty value, which can be represented as "".

function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  return array.length === 0 ? "" : array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1));
}

Answer 8

If the array is empty, make sure to return an empty string rather than zero.

When working with string operations, it is more appropriate to return an empty value, which can be represented as "".

function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  return array.length === 0 ? "" : array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1));
}

Answer 9

Answer №5

Here's a streamlined method for achieving the same outcome:

    const sumArray = (arr) => {
        let total = arr[0];
        for (let j = 1; j < arr.length; j++) {
            total += arr[j];
        }
        return total;
    }

Answer 10

Here's a streamlined method for achieving the same outcome:

    const sumArray = (arr) => {
        let total = arr[0];
        for (let j = 1; j < arr.length; j++) {
            total += arr[j];
        }
        return total;
    }

Answer 11

Answer №6

When reaching the base case in recursion, make sure to return an empty string instead of a value. Simply update your return 0 statement to return ''.

const array = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  if (array.length === 0) {
    return '';
  }
  return array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1));
}

console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array));

If you need to handle numbers as well, remember to check for array lengths of both zero and one.

const array = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'e'];
const array2 = [];
const array3 = [1, 2, 3];

function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  const rec =
    array.length === 1
      ? array[0]
      : array.length >= 1 && array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1));
  return array.length === 0 ? 0 : rec;
}

console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array2));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array3));

Answer 12

When reaching the base case in recursion, make sure to return an empty string instead of a value. Simply update your return 0 statement to return ''.

const array = ['a', 'b', 'c'];
function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  if (array.length === 0) {
    return '';
  }
  return array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1));
}

console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array));

If you need to handle numbers as well, remember to check for array lengths of both zero and one.

const array = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'e'];
const array2 = [];
const array3 = [1, 2, 3];

function calculateSumRecursion(array) {
  const rec =
    array.length === 1
      ? array[0]
      : array.length >= 1 && array[0] + calculateSumRecursion(array.slice(1));
  return array.length === 0 ? 0 : rec;
}

console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array2));
console.log(calculateSumRecursion(array3));

Calculate the total of array elements by using recursion, even if they are strings

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

Answer №6

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