Creating a network of lists by combining multiple arrays

Question

Creating a network of lists by combining multiple arrays

I'm currently working on generating a comprehensive list of all possible combinations of multiple arrays. While I have experience in Matlab and understand loops and basic coding principles, I'm unsure of the most efficient method to compile these arrays into a matrix of combinations. Initially, I created a matrix of all potential combinations, but realized it would be time-consuming to update each entry if I decided to add a new component to one of the arrays. I attempted to use the push command to address this, as shown below:

matrix=[array1, array2, array3]
var newMeat= 'pastrami'
matrix[1].push(bread[1] + '-' + newMeat + ....)

Although using the push command from a user interface (UI) seemed messy. For instance, I have a base array:

bread=['rye', 'white', 'wheat']

I aim to create combinations for each bread type with other arrays like

meat = ['roast beef', 'ham', 'turkey']
condiments = ['mayo', 'mustard','ketchup']

This would result in:

combinations = ['rye-roast beef-mayo', 'white-roast beef-mayo', 'wheat-roast beef-mayo', 
                 'rye-roast beef-mustard', 'white-roast beef-mustard', 'wheat-roast beef-mustard',
                 'rye-roast beef-ketchup', 'white-roast beef-ketchup', 'wheat-roast beef-ketchup']

and so forth. The columns would correspond to rye bread, white bread, and wheat bread respectively. Is there a specific term for this process I'm attempting? It should also accommodate additions to each array in the future. Appreciate any insights provided!

javascript arrays loops matrix concatenation

Answer 1

Answer №1

Utilizing three nested for loops to iterate through every possible combination:

var bread = ['rye', 'white', 'wheat'];
var meat = ['roast beef', 'ham', 'turkey'];
var condiments = ['mayo', 'mustard', 'ketchup'];

for (var b in bread) {
    for (var m in meat) {
        for (var c in condiments) {
            console.log (bread[b] + "-" + meat[m] + "-" + condiments[c]); // Display the combination as needed
        }
    }
}

Answer 2

Utilizing three nested for loops to iterate through every possible combination:

var bread = ['rye', 'white', 'wheat'];
var meat = ['roast beef', 'ham', 'turkey'];
var condiments = ['mayo', 'mustard', 'ketchup'];

for (var b in bread) {
    for (var m in meat) {
        for (var c in condiments) {
            console.log (bread[b] + "-" + meat[m] + "-" + condiments[c]); // Display the combination as needed
        }
    }
}

Answer 3

Answer №2

To achieve the desired outcome, it is necessary to use one loop for each component.

3 levels of nested for loops

var bread=['rye', 'white', 'wheat'];
var meat = [ 'roast beef', 'ham', 'turkey'];
var condiments = [ 'mayo', 'mustard','ketchup'];

var result = [];
for(var i = 0; i < bread.length; i++) {
  result.push([]);
  for(var j = 0; j < bread.length; j++) {
    for(var k = 0; k < bread.length; k++) {
      result[i].push(bread[i] + '-' + meat[j] + '-' + condiments[k]);
    }
  }
}

console.log(result);

OR

3 levels of nested forEach loops

var bread=['rye', 'white', 'wheat'];
var meat = [ 'roast beef', 'ham', 'turkey'];
var condiments = [ 'mayo', 'mustard','ketchup'];

var result = [];
bread.forEach(function(b) {
  result.push([]);
  meat.forEach(function(m) {
    condiments.forEach(function(c) {
      result[result.length - 1].push(b + '-' + m + '-' + c);
    });
  })
});

console.log(result);

Answer 4

To achieve the desired outcome, it is necessary to use one loop for each component.

3 levels of nested for loops

var bread=['rye', 'white', 'wheat'];
var meat = [ 'roast beef', 'ham', 'turkey'];
var condiments = [ 'mayo', 'mustard','ketchup'];

var result = [];
for(var i = 0; i < bread.length; i++) {
  result.push([]);
  for(var j = 0; j < bread.length; j++) {
    for(var k = 0; k < bread.length; k++) {
      result[i].push(bread[i] + '-' + meat[j] + '-' + condiments[k]);
    }
  }
}

console.log(result);

OR

3 levels of nested forEach loops

var bread=['rye', 'white', 'wheat'];
var meat = [ 'roast beef', 'ham', 'turkey'];
var condiments = [ 'mayo', 'mustard','ketchup'];

var result = [];
bread.forEach(function(b) {
  result.push([]);
  meat.forEach(function(m) {
    condiments.forEach(function(c) {
      result[result.length - 1].push(b + '-' + m + '-' + c);
    });
  })
});

console.log(result);

Creating a network of lists by combining multiple arrays

Answer №1

Answer №2

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