JavaScript Function for Shuffling an Array

Question

JavaScript Function for Shuffling an Array

Looking for advice on optimizing a function I'm developing. My goal is to:

Double the frequency of numbers in an array
Randomize the location of the values in the array.

For instance: Imagine I have an array. [0,1,2,3]

First, I need to duplicate each number in a new array. Resulting in: [0,0,1,1,2,2,3,3].
Then, I want to randomize these values to get: [0,4,2,3,0,2,3,4]

The algorithm needs to be able to handle an initial array of 18 digits (resulting in a final, randomized array of size 36)

My initial approach involves using a simple while loop that:

Randomly picks a spot in the new array
Checks if the spot is filled -If it is, repeat the process
If it's empty, place the value and move on to the next

I'm simplifying here, but I want the algorithm to be efficient to avoid delays.

I'm concerned that once there's only one spot left, the algorithm might take longer to place it due to the odds.

How can I improve the algorithm to make it quicker and more effective?

Thanks in advance!

javascript arrays algorithm random

Answer 1

Answer №1

To begin, my goal is to create a new array where each number is duplicated once. This means the array would look like [0,0,1,1,2,2,3,3].

While this may seem complex, we can achieve this easily. Since the order of the numbers doesn't matter, we can simply combine the original array with itself to get [0,1,2,3,0,1,2,3] using the following code:

var newArray = arr.concat(arr);

Finally, I want to randomize these values to get something like [0,4,2,3,0,2,3,4]

To shuffle the array, you can use a recognized algorithm. Check out the link How to randomize (shuffle) a JavaScript array? for some simple algorithms that run efficiently and don't face the issue of randomly "trying".

Answer 2

To begin, my goal is to create a new array where each number is duplicated once. This means the array would look like [0,0,1,1,2,2,3,3].

While this may seem complex, we can achieve this easily. Since the order of the numbers doesn't matter, we can simply combine the original array with itself to get [0,1,2,3,0,1,2,3] using the following code:

var newArray = arr.concat(arr);

Finally, I want to randomize these values to get something like [0,4,2,3,0,2,3,4]

To shuffle the array, you can use a recognized algorithm. Check out the link How to randomize (shuffle) a JavaScript array? for some simple algorithms that run efficiently and don't face the issue of randomly "trying".

Answer 3

Answer №2

Introducing a novel approach to randomization using two arrays. This technique offers a unique way to achieve randomization with relatively good results.

    var shuffledArray=[]
    var originalArray=[0,1,2,3,0,1,2,3]
    var length=originalArray.length;
    var tempLength=length;
    var tempCount=length;
    
    function randomize(){
        for (i=0;i<tempCount;i++){
            randomIndex=Math.floor(Math.random()*tempLength);
            shuffledArray[i]=originalArray[randomIndex]; 
            originalArray.splice(randomIndex,1);
            tempLength--;
        }
        
        for (i1=0;i1<tempCount;i1++){
            originalArray[i1]=shuffledArray[i1]
        }
    }

Answer 4

Introducing a novel approach to randomization using two arrays. This technique offers a unique way to achieve randomization with relatively good results.

    var shuffledArray=[]
    var originalArray=[0,1,2,3,0,1,2,3]
    var length=originalArray.length;
    var tempLength=length;
    var tempCount=length;
    
    function randomize(){
        for (i=0;i<tempCount;i++){
            randomIndex=Math.floor(Math.random()*tempLength);
            shuffledArray[i]=originalArray[randomIndex]; 
            originalArray.splice(randomIndex,1);
            tempLength--;
        }
        
        for (i1=0;i1<tempCount;i1++){
            originalArray[i1]=shuffledArray[i1]
        }
    }

JavaScript Function for Shuffling an Array

Answer №1

Answer №2

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