Start together by a common word (not by individual letters)

Question

Start together by a common word (not by individual letters)

I came across this amazing sharedStart function in a challenge. You can find it here:

function sharedStart(array){
    var A= array.concat().sort(), 
    a1= A[0], a2= A[A.length-1], L= a1.length, i= 0;
    while(i<L && a1.charAt(i)=== a2.charAt(i)) i++;
    return a1.substring(0, i);
}

However, this function works on a per-character basis.

For example, using the function returns Noitidart Sab:

sharedStart(['Noitidart Sab', 'Noitidart Saber'])  //=> 'Noitidart Sab'
sharedStart(['Noitidart Sab', 'Noit'])  //=> 'Noit'
sharedStart(['Noitidart Sab', 'Noitidart Saber', 'Noit'])  //=> 'Noit'
sharedStart(['Noit Sab bye', 'Noit Sab hi there'])  //=> 'Noit Sab '

Nevertheless, I am interested in performing the comparison by word instead of character. In that case, the expected results should be as follows:

sharedStartWords(['Noitidart Sab', 'Noitidart Saber'])  //=> 'Noitidart'
sharedStartWords(['Noitidart Sab', 'Noit'])  //=> '' // for no match
sharedStartWords(['Noitidart Sab', 'Noitidart Saber', 'Noit'])  //=> '' // no match
sharedStartWords(['Noit Sab bye', 'Noit Sab hi there'])  //=> 'Noit Sab'

I have attempted to come up with my own solution, but it has become quite convoluted. It's so bad that I feel embarrassed to share it as part of the question. Can someone please guide me on how to create a sharedStartByWord version?

javascript

Answer 1

Answer №1

What do you think of the following solution?

function findSharedStartingWord(array){
    var newArr = array.concat().sort(),
        firstArray = newArr[0].split(/\W/), lastArray = newArr[newArr.length-1].split(/\W/),
        length = firstArray.length, index = 0;
    while (index < length && firstArray[index] === lastArray[index]) { index++; }
    return firstArray.slice(0, index).join(' ');
}

Answer 2

What do you think of the following solution?

function findSharedStartingWord(array){
    var newArr = array.concat().sort(),
        firstArray = newArr[0].split(/\W/), lastArray = newArr[newArr.length-1].split(/\W/),
        length = firstArray.length, index = 0;
    while (index < length && firstArray[index] === lastArray[index]) { index++; }
    return firstArray.slice(0, index).join(' ');
}

Answer 3

Answer №2

Divide all the elements in the array using a space
Retrieve the first element along with the rest of the elements
Compare each element in the remaining elements with the corresponding element in the first array element at the same index
If there is a discrepancy, remove that particular element from the first array

function findCommonStartWord(arr) {
  var A = arr.concat().map(el => el.split(" "));
  var B = A.concat();
  B.shift();

  var words = A[0];
  var wordsToRemove = [];

  A[0].forEach((el, i) => {
    B.forEach(_el => {
      if (el !== _el[i])
        words.splice(i, 1);
    })
  })

  return words.join("");
}

var x = findCommonStartWord(['Hello World', 'Hello Universe', 'Hello Something']);
console.log(x);

Answer 4

Divide all the elements in the array using a space
Retrieve the first element along with the rest of the elements
Compare each element in the remaining elements with the corresponding element in the first array element at the same index
If there is a discrepancy, remove that particular element from the first array

function findCommonStartWord(arr) {
  var A = arr.concat().map(el => el.split(" "));
  var B = A.concat();
  B.shift();

  var words = A[0];
  var wordsToRemove = [];

  A[0].forEach((el, i) => {
    B.forEach(_el => {
      if (el !== _el[i])
        words.splice(i, 1);
    })
  })

  return words.join("");
}

var x = findCommonStartWord(['Hello World', 'Hello Universe', 'Hello Something']);
console.log(x);

Start together by a common word (not by individual letters)

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

Implementing automatic activation of a tab upon page load using Angular

My attempt to reveal hidden information in my repeater using a button and JavaScript has not produced the desired results

Transferring data between JavaScript and PHP

Troubleshooting custom buttons error when using carousel in Nuxt app: "Flickity is not defined"

Concurrent HTTP Requests - AngularJS

Ways to terminate and fulfill a promise

AngularJS Login Popup with SpringSecurity

The ng-disabled directive in Angular JS is not effectively disabling a button

Is it possible to employ variable data outside the function?

Is there a way to ensure that the await subscribe block finishes before moving on to the next line of code?

Exploring the dynamic relationship between React's useEffect and useState functions

What is the best approach for testing a function containing document.querySelector() with unit tests?

Is it possible to provide unrestricted support for an infinite number of parameters in the typing of the extend function from Lodash

Can you explain the concept of the "one true source"?

What could be causing my Bootstrap 4 modal not to appear?

There are currently no records matching the query for xxx on the designated model

Disable the default page scrolling behavior when collapsing an accordion section in Bootstrap 4 framework

Does the DOMContentLoaded event fire only after all script tags have been downloaded?

Warning: Invariant Violation - The specified TurboModuleRegistry.getEnforcing('RNDocumentPicker') cannot be located

Ways to verify with Selenium WebDriver whether a website is employing Ajax technology