Finding Multiple Instances of String in Array & Reordering

Question

My problem is as follows: I am trying to take data as formatted in the 'names' variable in the snippet below, convert the string to array, then reorganize the array so the text is in the correct order. I am able to get the pieces I have put together to properly sort the first or last instance of a first & last name, but am seeking guidance on how to go about processing multiple names. The snippet below will return the last instance of the first & last name in the correct order. At this point, I am only looking to have the data returned as a properly sorted array, e.g.

if the input string is names = "Bond, James & Banner, Bruce";

once processed should return: ['James', 'Bond,', '&', 'Bruce', 'Banner,']

As always I appreciate all the help I can get, thanks in advance!

Array.prototype.move = function(from,to){
  this.splice(to,0,this.splice(from,1)[0]);
  return this;
};

var names ="Bond, James & Banner, Bruce";

var namesArr = names.split(' ');
var idx;

// search for a comma (only last names have commas with them)
for(var i = 0; i < namesArr.length; i++) {
  if(namesArr[i].indexOf(',') != -1) {
    idx = i;
  }
}
namesArr.move(idx, idx+1); 
console.log(namesArr);

this could be helpful to you http://stackoverflow.com/questions/650022/how-do-i-split-a-string-with-multiple-separators-in-javascript — Geeky, Oct 21 '16 at 18:57

Luke Kot-Zaniewski · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-21T19:02:40.747

2

You were close but this solution should work for you. Basically you need to update in the loop and increment the index i to account for the switch. Otherwise you will end up revisiting the first last name you switch.

Array.prototype.move = function(from,to){
  this.splice(to,0,this.splice(from,1)[0]);
  return this;
};

var names ="Bond, James & Banner, Bruce & Guy, Other";

var namesArr = names.split(' ');
var idx;

// search for a comma (only last names have commas with them)
for(var i = 0; i < namesArr.length; i++) {
  if(namesArr[i].indexOf(',') != -1) {
    namesArr.move(i, i+1);
    i++; 
  }
}

console.log(namesArr);

edited Oct 21 '16 at 19:02

answered Oct 21 '16 at 19:01

Luke Kot-Zaniewski

1,161
11
12

1

AH! I was so close in my initial try. Thank you very much! – just_trying_to_learn Oct 21 '16 at 19:02
No problem :-) A green check would be greatly appreciated! – Luke Kot-Zaniewski Oct 21 '16 at 19:03
Most certainly! Thank you for your quick response! – just_trying_to_learn Oct 21 '16 at 19:08

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 21 '16 at 22:55

Another solution could be by using String.prototype.match() and a regular expression \w+ to match the names:

var names = "Bond, James & Banner, Bruce & Licoln, Anna"; // ...
var arr_names = names.match(/\w+/g); // Match names
var res = [];

for (var i = 0; i < arr_names.length; i += 2) { // Step by 2
  res.push(arr_names[i + 1]); // Push the name before
  res.push(arr_names[i]); // Push the current name
  res.push("&"); // Add "&"
}

res.splice((res.length - 1), 1); // Remove last "&"
console.log(res);

Finding Multiple Instances of String in Array & Reordering

2 Answers2