I'm looking for the fastest way to pick a random object that has a certain condition (from an array).
In the example below I have a multidimensional array, 50 * 50 that contains objects. I want to pick a random object from that array but that object needs to have a size larger than 100.
while (object.size <= 100)
{
attempts++;
object = grid_array[Math.round(Math.random() * 49)][Math.round(Math.random() * 49)];
}
Currently I have tested this and in some instances it takes over 300+ attempts. Is there a more elegant way to do this?
Thanks,
What I would do is first filter the source array to extract only valid candidates, then return a random one (if there are any).
For example:
function getRandomObject(grid_array:Array, minSize:Number):Object {
var filtered:Array = [];
for(var i:int = 0; i < grid_array.length; i++){
var inner:Array = grid_array[i];
for(var ii:int = 0; ii < inner.length; ii++){
var object:Object = inner[ii];
if(object.size >= minSize){
filtered.push(object);
}
}
}
return filtered.length ? filtered[int(Math.random() * filtered.length)] : null;
}
// example:
var object:Object = getRandomObject(grid_array, 100);
if(object){
// do stuff with `object`
}
I asked if you need the indexes because you could do this with RegExps and the JSON Class (Flash Player 11). With this example I stored the indexes of the objects:
Create random multidimensional Array to test the function
//---I stored a variable size and the indexes inside the Object
//---Size variable will be numbers between 0 and 500
var array:Array = [];
var i;
var j;
var size:uint = 50;
var obj:Object;
for(i = 0; i < size; i++){
array[i] = [];
for(j = 0; j < size; j++){
obj = new Object();
obj.size = Math.floor(Math.random() * 500);
obj.files = i;
obj.columns = j;
array[i][j] = obj;
}
}
Method to get random Object with size property bigger than 100
//---I'll use to search the object a JSON string
var str:String = JSON.stringify(array);
//---Function to get the random Object
function getRandom():Object{
//---RegExp to search object with size between 100 and 500
var reg:RegExp = /\{[^\}]*"size":(?:10[1-9]|1[1-9]\d|[2-5]\d\d)[^\}]*\}/g;
//---Get all matches
var matches:Array = str.match(reg);
//---Return a random match converted to object
//---If no match founded the return will be null
return matches ? JSON.parse( matches[Math.floor(Math.random() * matches.length)] ) : null;
}
I am trying to test if a specific element in an array is a range of characters, from a-z lowercase. what am I doing wrong? I am very new to coding (1 month in) and I am probably trying to do stuff thats too hard for me.
var array ["a","b","c"];
var myRegularExpression = /[a-z]/;
if (myRegularExpression.test(array[index])) {
//do stuff
}
To give you a working example as #Tushar mentioned:
var arr = ["a","b","c","123"];
var myRegularExpression = new RegExp("^[a-z]+$");
var matchCount = 0;
for (var index = 0; index < arr.length; index++) {
if (myRegularExpression.test(arr[index])) {
//do stuff
matchCount += 1;
}
}
document.getElementById("result").innerText = matchCount;
Number of elements matching the regex "^[a-z]+$":
<div id="result"></div>
I have an array of objects, each containing a bool value with yes or no. I want to copy all objects with bool YES to another array. How can i do that? i have considered filtering the array using a predicate or integrating it in a for-loop, but i cant seem to get it right.
I need something like this:
for (BOOL* opslag_Set in [dataSource allKeys]){
NSArray *array = [dataSource objectForKey:opslag_Set];
for (int j = 0; j < [array count]; j++) {
if ([[array objectAtIndex:j] isEqualToString:#"YES"]) {
add object to another array;
}
}
}
First object of my array:
},
{
Dato = "2012-11-07 16:20:57 +0000";
Forfatter = "Vej 51, st. tv.";
Indhold = "Referat af beboerm\U00f8de";
"Opslag_set" = 0;
Overskrift = "Beboerm\U00f8de";
Prioritet = 0;
Svar = (
{
Dato = "2012-11-07 16:23:07 +0000";
Forfatter = "6. tv.";
Indhold = "Fedt fedt fedt";
}
);
},
You will have to use NSNumber in order to store the bools in an array.
Assuming your boolean array is called boolArray, the code to get an array with only YES would be something like this:
NSMutableArray* temp = [NSMutableArray new];
for (NSNumber* value in boolArray)
{
if ([value boolValue])
{
[temp addObject:[NSNumber numberWithBool:YES]];
}
}
However, why are you trying to do this? This will return an array with a certain number of elements that are all the same. You could just count the number if that's what you want. The other thing I can think of is that you have an object with a bool property, in which case you can easily adapt the code above.
EDIT: OK, let's assume that we have an object called MyDataObject that has a bool property - NSNumber* boolProperty. Here is the code:
NSMutableArray* temp = [NSMutableArray new];
for (MyDataObject* value in boolArray)
{
if ([value.boolProperty boolValue])
{
[temp addObject:value];
}
}
This should work for what you are doing. temp will reference the original objects - they are not being copied.
How do you randomize an array using actionscript 3?
There is a short version using Array.sort() function:
var arr : Array = [0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9];
function randomize ( a : *, b : * ) : int {
return ( Math.random() > .5 ) ? 1 : -1;
}
trace( arr.sort( randomize ) );
If you don't get "enough" randomness you can sort twice :)
EDIT - explanation line by line:
For Array class method sort() you can pass not only sort options like Array.CASEINSENSITIVE, Array.DESCENDING and so on but also your own custom compare function reference (a callback) that accepts two parameters (two elements from array to compare). From AS3 documentation:
A comparison function should take two arguments to compare. Given the elements A and B, the result of compareFunction can have a negative, 0, or positive value:
A negative return value specifies that A appears before B in the sorted sequence.
A return value of 0 specifies that A and B have the same sort order.
A positive return value specifies that A appears after B in the sorted sequence.
Note: compare function parameters might be typed (if your array is typed) and have any name you want eg.:
function compareElements ( elementA : SomeClass, elementB : SomeClass ) : int;
This method is very useful when you need to sort array elements by their special properties. In randomization case compareFunction randomly returns -1, 0 or 1 and makes array elements to switch their places (indices). I have found that better randomization (in my subjective and mathematically untested opinion) is when method returns only -1 and 1. Also have in mind that sorting function with custom compare function doesn't compare elements sequentially so in some special cases randomization results may differ from what you might expect.
There's a better way that will also allow you to randomize the array in place, if you need that, and it will not make you create more then a single copy of your original array.
package
{
import flash.display.Sprite;
public class RandomizeArrayExample extends Sprite
{
public function RandomizeArrayExample()
{
super();
testDistribution();
}
private function testDistribution():void
{
var hash:Object = { };
var tester:Array = [1, 2, 3, 4];
var key:String;
for (var i:int; i < 1e5; i++)
{
randomize(tester);
key = tester.join("");
if (key in hash) hash[key]++;
else hash[key] = 1;
}
for (var p:String in hash) trace(p, "=>", hash[p]);
}
private function randomize(array:Array):Array
{
var temp:Object;
var tempOffset:int;
for (var i:int = array.length - 1; i >= 0; i--)
{
tempOffset = Math.random() * i;
temp = array[i];
array[i] = array[tempOffset];
array[tempOffset] = temp;
}
return array;
}
}
}
I had an alternative requirement where i wanted to randomly insert lots of source arrays into a target array randomly. Like Rytis i'm a big fan of the forEach, map and sort functions on Arrays.
var randomInsert:Function = function callback(item:*, index:int, array:Vector.<MyItem>):void
{
var j:Number = Math.floor(Math.random() * targetArray.length);
targetArray.splice(j,0,item);
}
targetArray = new Vector.<MyItem>();
sourceArray1.forEach(randomInsert, this);
sourceArray2.forEach(randomInsert, this);
here's an easier function. Works also on multidimensional arrays
function randomizeArray(array:Array):Array
{
var newArray:Array = new Array();
while (array.length > 0)
{
var mn=Math.floor(Math.random()*array.length)
newArray[newArray.length]=array[mn]
array.splice(mn,1)
}
return newArray;
}
I found this very helpful. I hope it can help you too.
// Array to Randomize
var firstArray:Array = ["One","Two","Three","Four","Five","six","seven","eight","nine","ten"];
trace(firstArray); // Prints in order
var newArray:Array = new Array();
function randomizeArray(array:Array):Array
{
var newArray:Array = new Array();
while (array.length > 0)
{
newArray.push(array.splice(Math.floor(Math.random()*array.length), 1));
}
return newArray;
}
var randomArray:Array = randomizeArray(firstArray);
trace(randomArray); // Prints out randomized :)
If you need your array to be shuffled (your elements can not repeat). You could use this function:
/**
* Shuffles array into new array with no repeating elements. Simple swap algorithm is used.
*/
public function shuffleArray(original:Array):Array
{
// How many swaps we will do
// Increase this number for better results (more shuffled array, but slower performance)
const runs:int = original.length * 3;
var shuffled:Array = new Array(original.length);
var i:int;
var a:int;
var b:int;
var temp:Object;
// Copy original array to shuffled
for(i=0; i<shuffled.length; i++){
shuffled[i] = original[i];
}
// Run random swap cycle 'runs' times
for(i=0; i<runs; i++){
// There is a chance that array element will swap with itself,
// and there is always small probability it will make your shuffle
// results not that good, hence try to experiment with
// different runs count as stated above
a = Math.floor(Math.random() * original.length);
b = Math.floor(Math.random() * original.length);
// Swap messages
temp = shuffled[a];
shuffled[a] = shuffled[b];
shuffled[b] = temp;
}
return shuffled;
}
Usage:
var testArray:Array = ["Water", "Fire", "Air", "Earth"];
trace(shuffleArray(testArray).concat());
this is how I randomize my array of 36 cards for a memory game
const QUANT_CARTAS: int = 36;
//get the 36 numbers into the array
for (var i: int = 0; i < QUANT_CARTAS; i++)
{
cartas.push(i);
}
//shuffles them =)
for (var moeda: int = QUANT_CARTAS - 1; moeda > 0; moeda--)
{
var pos: int = Math.floor(Math.random() * moeda);
var carta: int = cartas[moeda];
cartas[moeda] = cartas[pos];
cartas[pos] = carta;
}
// and add them using the random order...
for (i = 0; i < QUANT_CARTAS; i++)
{
var novaCarta: Carta = new Carta();
novaCarta.tipoCarta = cartas[i];
etcetcetc.............
}
choose random string from array
function keyGenerator(len:Number):String
{
function randomRange(minNum:Number, maxNum:Number):Number
{
return (Math.floor(Math.random() * (maxNum - minNum + 1)) + minNum);
}
var hexArray = ['0','1','2','3','4','5','6','7','8','9','A','B','C','D','E','F'];
var key = "";
for (var i=0; i<len; i++)
{
key += hexArray[randomRange(0,hexArray.length-1)];
}
return key;
}
usage:
trace(keyGenerator(16));
This might be a simple one, and if it is I'm sure I'll feel stupid.
Basically, I have arrays a1, a2 and a3.
Using a for statement..
for (var i 0; i < 4; i++) {
//stuff
}
How can I push data in the for statement into one of these arrays using i? That is, each time adding the data into the next group up. a[0] -> a[1] etc. I tried getDefinitionByName but it seems that only works for library objects!
Sorry if it's simple!
Cheers in advance.
EDIT:
The code in full where I need this to work. This is what I tried using the first answer I was given.
var fullList:Vector.<Array> = new Vector.<Array>();
for (var i1 = 0; i1 < 3; i1++)
{
fullList.push(new Array());
}
var levelLoader:URLLoader = new URLLoader();
levelLoader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, levelLoaded);
function levelLoaded(e:Event):void
{
var indexcount = 0;
txttileArray = e.target.data.split("a");
txtDebug.text = txttileArray.toString();
for (var i = 1; i < 4; i++)
{
temparray1 = txttileArray[indexcount].split("");
for (var row = 0; row < temparray1.length; row ++)
{
var a = getDefinitionByName(temparray1[row] + "Tile") as Class;
//trace(a);
var b = new a ;
b.x = 17 + 17 * row;
b.y = 17 + 17 * indexcount;
addChild(b);
fullList[indexcount].push(b);
}
indexcount++;
}
}
sorry for the messy variable names.
i have three arrays, a1, a2 and a3. i want to be able access these
arrays based on the value of the variable "i". so for example, if "i"
is 1, i want to push a data value to a1. and so on – hazdog
This is not possible if you have arrays a1, a2 and a3 as local (defined in the function) variables. If they are defined in the class, then here's how you do it:
private var a1:Array=[];
private var a2:Array=[];
private var a3:Array=[];
private function pushValue(identifier:String, value:Object):int {
var name:String="a" + identifier;
var target:Array=this[name] as Array;
if(target == null) {
throw new Error("No such array " + name);
} else {
return target.push(value);
}
}
//And then call it like this:
pushValue("1", "This value goes in array a1");
pushValue("1", "This is another value that goes in array a1");
pushValue("2", "This value goes in array a1");
pushValue("2", "This is another value that goes in array a2");
pushValue("3", "This value goes in array a3");
pushValue("3", "This is another value that goes in array a3");
Otherwise, you can define an array of arrays (or vector of arrays), say holderArray in which you put your target arrays, and then push the value to holderArray[identifier]
EDIT
Instead of defining a1, a2 and a3 in the this object, define it like this:
private var arrayHolder:Object={};
private function init():void {
for(var i:int=1; i<=3; i++) {
arrayHolder["a" + i]=new Array();
}
}
init();
Then, your arrays will be stored as arrayHolder.a1, arrayHolder.a2, arrayHolder.a3 etc
And modify pushValue as follows:
Change
var target:Array=this[name] as Array;
to
var target:Array=arrayHolder[name] as Array;
Inception.
You need to use Array in Array.
private var fullList:Vector.<Array>;
private var total:uint = 4;
function a():void
{
// first creating array list
fullList = new Vector.<Array>();
for (var i:uint = 0; i < total; i++)
{
fullList.push(new Array());
}
}
function b():void
{
// doing the stuff
for (var i:uint = 0; i < total; i++)
{
switch (i)
{
case 0:
fullList[i].push('zero-array-push');
break;
case 1:
fullList[i].push('one-array-push');
break;
case 2:
fullList[i].push('two-array-push');
break;
case 3:
fullList[i].push('three-array-push');
break;
}
}
}