Optimized JSON strategies for managing arrays with missing values

Question

Optimized JSON strategies for managing arrays with missing values

I'm trying to find a JSON implementation that can effectively handle sparse arrays. I came across the question: How to represent a sparse array in JSON? but using an object instead of an array is not what I need; I specifically require an array.

My basic expectation is that the implementation would automatically insert "undefined" values for any missing elements in the sparse array. If this is not possible, I have to write extra defensive code to manually fill in these gaps before encoding the data as JSON.

javascript arrays json sparse-array

Answer 1

Answer №1

It is simply not feasible. Implementations aside, the specification does not permit it.

http://json.org/

Arrays are exclusively defined by their values. Objects are reserved for when the index or key holds significance.

Answer 2

It is simply not feasible. Implementations aside, the specification does not permit it.

http://json.org/

Arrays are exclusively defined by their values. Objects are reserved for when the index or key holds significance.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Is it possible to utilize an object with property names as indexes and values as the corresponding values, then pass it through a function to generate a sparse array?

function convertToSparseArray(obj) {
  var arr = [];
  for (prop in obj) {
    var index = parseInt(prop,10);
    if (!isNaN(index)) {
      arr[index] = obj[prop];
    }
  }
  return arr;
}

You could input something like

{ "5":"Five", "11":"Eleven", "99":"Ninety-Nine"}

and receive an array populated with only three values:

arr[5] = "Five"
arr[11] = "Eleven"
arr[99] = "Ninety-Nine"
arr[0] = 'undefined'
arr[98] = 'undefined'
etc.

The resulting arr would have a length of 100, but it would be considered a "sparse" array based on your definition.

Answer 4

Is it possible to utilize an object with property names as indexes and values as the corresponding values, then pass it through a function to generate a sparse array?

function convertToSparseArray(obj) {
  var arr = [];
  for (prop in obj) {
    var index = parseInt(prop,10);
    if (!isNaN(index)) {
      arr[index] = obj[prop];
    }
  }
  return arr;
}

You could input something like

{ "5":"Five", "11":"Eleven", "99":"Ninety-Nine"}

and receive an array populated with only three values:

arr[5] = "Five"
arr[11] = "Eleven"
arr[99] = "Ninety-Nine"
arr[0] = 'undefined'
arr[98] = 'undefined'
etc.

The resulting arr would have a length of 100, but it would be considered a "sparse" array based on your definition.

Optimized JSON strategies for managing arrays with missing values

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

Reactjs: Could someone provide a more detailed explanation of this statement?

Creating a collection of related elements

ReactiveJS - Adding elements to an array and encountering the error of undefined

Obtain a collection of keys that share identical values

Is there a way to efficiently upload multiple files using Protractor?

Using Javascript to iterate over an array

How can I toggle the visibility of form inputs while utilizing Vue Formulate Schemas?

Transforming a string array into a class list within the Unity3d environment

Does it have .hasOwnProperty and a significant value?

Javascript - understanding variable scope

Javascript: creating a conditional based on elements within an array

Utilize the Google Drive API to easily upload an Excel file

What is the best way to save cache in a web browser?

Transmitting JSON information via Ajax to an Express server

An error message indicating that the page is currently being unloaded has appeared

SwitchBase is undergoing a transformation where its unchecked state goes from uncontrolled to controlled. It is important to note that elements should not transition back and forth between un

Refresh is required for resizing

Retrieve all CSS properties associated with a specific DOM element, similar to the functionality provided by Firebug

Having trouble iterating over an array of objects in Typescript within an Angular application?

Struggling to manage the flow of my program, constantly switching back and forth between handling AJAX callbacks and rendering PIXI