Is there a better way to implement an inArray function in JavaScript than using join and match?

Question

Is there a better way to implement an inArray function in JavaScript than using join and match?

Recently, I created an inArray function for JavaScript which seems to be working fine. It's short and a bit unusual, but I have a nagging feeling that there might be something wrong with it, although I can't quite pinpoint what it is:

Array.prototype.inArray = function (item) {
  return this.join("|").match( new RegExp('\\b'+item+'\\b','ig')  );
}

Update: This is meant to serve as a general implementation of the inArray feature. I'm unsure whether a loop or creating a regex is more resource-intensive.

javascript arrays

Answer 1

Answer №1

Consider these factors when creating your implementation:

Remember that you will be comparing string versions of Array members, not the actual elements themselves
Using \\b may lead to false positives as it matches any word break, including punctuation
This method is most effective for single word entries in the Array to avoid false positives
Your function will either return null or an Array of "matches", consider if this aligns with your intended outcome

These points only scratch the surface and there may be more considerations needed.

If your implementation has a narrow focus, it might work but could lack the general usability for broader use cases.

Answer 2

Consider these factors when creating your implementation:

Remember that you will be comparing string versions of Array members, not the actual elements themselves
Using \\b may lead to false positives as it matches any word break, including punctuation
This method is most effective for single word entries in the Array to avoid false positives
Your function will either return null or an Array of "matches", consider if this aligns with your intended outcome

These points only scratch the surface and there may be more considerations needed.

If your implementation has a narrow focus, it might work but could lack the general usability for broader use cases.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Discover whether an array contains a specific element or elements using underscore.js intersection() method:

if(_.intersection(yourArray, [item]).length){
    //perform action
}

You can also check for multiple items by placing them into an array. This method accommodates any type of object.

Answer 4

Discover whether an array contains a specific element or elements using underscore.js intersection() method:

if(_.intersection(yourArray, [item]).length){
    //perform action
}

You can also check for multiple items by placing them into an array. This method accommodates any type of object.

Is there a better way to implement an inArray function in JavaScript than using join and match?

Answer №1

Answer №2

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