Organizing a series of objects into groups of four for processing

Question

Organizing a series of objects into groups of four for processing

I have a task of organizing an array of objects that represent game players by assigning each player to a group number based on their current group value.

The challenge is to ensure that each group has as close to four players as possible, while also accommodating players who specifically want to be in certain groups that cannot be broken up (but can be renamed or merged).

Some players have unassigned or null groups (indicating they have no preference) and others have custom group values indicating they want to play with specific people.

var players = [
    {name: "A", group: null},
    {name: "B", group: null},
    {name: "C", group: null},
    {name: "D", group: null},
    {name: "E", group: null},
    {name: "cA", group: "custom1"},
    {name: "cB", group: "custom1"},
    {name: "cC", group: "custom2"},
    {name: "cD", group: "custom2"},
    {name: "cE", group: "custom3"},
    {name: "cF", group: "custom3"}];

I am looking for a solution to organize this array so that it results in something similar to the following:

var resolvedGroup = [
    {name: "A", group: 1},
    {name: "B", group: 1},
    {name: "C", group: 1},
    {name: "D", group: 1},
    {name: "cA", group: "customMerged1"},
    {name: "cB", group: "customMerged1"},
    {name: "cC", group: "customMerged1"},
    {name: "cD", group: "customMerged1"},
    {name: "cE", group: 2},
    {name: "cF", group: 2},
    {name: "E", group: 2}
]

In this updated arrangement, the first four players are assigned to group 1, while those with custom groups are merged into larger groups of four if possible. If not possible, they will join other players from the "null" group to form groups as close to four as possible. The actual names of the groups are not important; what matters is ensuring that each player stays with their initial group members even after being merged with another custom group.

javascript

Answer 1

Answer №1

To tackle this task effectively, you will need to break it down into multiple steps and put your coding skills to work. It may require some trial and error before arriving at the optimal solution. Here's how I suggest approaching this problem:

1) Begin by determining the number of groups needed based on the total number of players. Typically, this can be calculated using Math.ceil(numPlayers/4).

2) Generate an array to represent the groups required, ensuring each group accommodates the appropriate number of players.

3) Next, arrange the player list in ascending order according to their assigned group names. This might involve using a sorting function with a custom comparison method.

4) Iterate through the sorted player list. For each distinct group name encountered, calculate the number of players allocated to that particular group. Then, identify a group with available space equal to that count and assign all relevant players accordingly.

5) Finally, distribute any remaining unassigned players amongst the existing groups. A systematic approach could involve starting from the end of the group array and working backwards while looping back to the beginning once necessary.

Answer 2

To tackle this task effectively, you will need to break it down into multiple steps and put your coding skills to work. It may require some trial and error before arriving at the optimal solution. Here's how I suggest approaching this problem:

1) Begin by determining the number of groups needed based on the total number of players. Typically, this can be calculated using Math.ceil(numPlayers/4).

2) Generate an array to represent the groups required, ensuring each group accommodates the appropriate number of players.

3) Next, arrange the player list in ascending order according to their assigned group names. This might involve using a sorting function with a custom comparison method.

4) Iterate through the sorted player list. For each distinct group name encountered, calculate the number of players allocated to that particular group. Then, identify a group with available space equal to that count and assign all relevant players accordingly.

5) Finally, distribute any remaining unassigned players amongst the existing groups. A systematic approach could involve starting from the end of the group array and working backwards while looping back to the beginning once necessary.

Answer 3

Answer №2

When organizing requested groups, they will fit into specific categories:

Players who did not request a group, and potentially single-player groups (treated as if no group was requested).
Groups of 2.
Groups of 3.
Groups of 4.
Groups of 5 or more: these cannot be accommodated, so a policy decision must be made on how to handle them. These will be disregarded moving forward.

Groups of size 4 can remain unchanged.

Groups of 2 can pair up with each other - in case of an odd number of such groups, there will be one leftover group.

Groups of 3 can be paired with unassigned players. This may result in excess size-3 groups or unassigned players, but not both. Any extra size-3 groups will need to remain as they are.

In the event of surplus unassigned players (potentially with one extra size-2 group), they can easily form groups of 4.

In pseudocode:

Count the number of players requesting each group name by iterating through the list and updating a dictionary/hashtable accordingly.
Convert the hashtable into an array and sort it by group size.
Starting from the end of the array, remove size-4 groups that do not require modification.
Moving backwards through the array, pair each size-3 group with an unassigned player from the beginning of the array (if available) and remove both from the array.
If all unassigned players are used up but there are excess size-3 groups, those remaining groups will have to be left as they are.
Continuing backwards through the array, pair up each set of size-2 groups, assign them the same group name, and remove them from the array.
You might be left with only one size-2 group and some unassigned players. Bring them together to form groups of 4.

Answer 4

When organizing requested groups, they will fit into specific categories:

Players who did not request a group, and potentially single-player groups (treated as if no group was requested).
Groups of 2.
Groups of 3.
Groups of 4.
Groups of 5 or more: these cannot be accommodated, so a policy decision must be made on how to handle them. These will be disregarded moving forward.

Groups of size 4 can remain unchanged.

Groups of 2 can pair up with each other - in case of an odd number of such groups, there will be one leftover group.

Groups of 3 can be paired with unassigned players. This may result in excess size-3 groups or unassigned players, but not both. Any extra size-3 groups will need to remain as they are.

In the event of surplus unassigned players (potentially with one extra size-2 group), they can easily form groups of 4.

In pseudocode:

Count the number of players requesting each group name by iterating through the list and updating a dictionary/hashtable accordingly.
Convert the hashtable into an array and sort it by group size.
Starting from the end of the array, remove size-4 groups that do not require modification.
Moving backwards through the array, pair each size-3 group with an unassigned player from the beginning of the array (if available) and remove both from the array.
If all unassigned players are used up but there are excess size-3 groups, those remaining groups will have to be left as they are.
Continuing backwards through the array, pair up each set of size-2 groups, assign them the same group name, and remove them from the array.
You might be left with only one size-2 group and some unassigned players. Bring them together to form groups of 4.

Organizing a series of objects into groups of four for processing

Answer №1

Answer №2

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