Convert a Javascript array into a readable string

Question

If you have an array of strings in JavaScript / JQuery:

var myStrings = ["item1", "item2", "item3", "item4"];

...what is the most elegant way you have found to convert that list to a readable english phrase of the form:

"item1, item2, item3 and item4"

The function must also work with:

var myStrings = ["item1"]; // produces "item1"
var myStrings = ["item1", "item2"]; // produces "item1 and item2"

SLaks · Accepted Answer · 2011-01-24 14:16:08Z

14

Like this:

a.length == 1 ? a[0] : [ a.slice(0, a.length - 1).join(", "), a[a.length - 1] ].join(" and ")

answered Jan 24, 2011 at 14:16

SLaks

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2 Comments

Mark Robinson Over a year ago

All in a single line! I'm impressed! Thanks for a great answer.

Tim Down Over a year ago

You can shorten it slightly by using slice's support for negative indices: a.length == 1 ? a[0] : [ a.slice(0, -1).join(", "), a[a.length - 1] ].join(" and ")

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