how to load two dimensional array in javascript

Question

I have a string containing many lines of the following format:
<word1><101>
<word2><102>
<word3><103>
I know how to load each line into an array cell using this:

var arrayOfStuff = stringOfStuff.split("\n");

But the above makes one array cell per line, I need a two-dimensional array. Is there a way to do that using similar logic to the above without having to re-read and re-process the array. I know how to do it in two phases, but would rather do it all in one step.
Thanks in advance,
Cliff

Could you provide an example of the dataset you are trying to parse, and the desired results? — tilleryj
– tilleryj, Commented Mar 11, 2011 at 22:45

Ben Blank · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-11 22:52:09Z

2

It sounds like you're hoping for something like Python's list comprehension (e.g. [line.split(" ") for line in lines.split("\n")]), but Javascript has no such feature. The very simplest way to get the same result in Javascript is to use a loop:

var lines = lines.split("\n");

for (var i = 0; i < lines.length; i++) {
    lines[i] = lines[i].split(" ");

    // or alternatively, something more complex using regexes:
    var match = /<([^>]+)><([^>]+)>/.exec(lines[i]);
    lines[i] = [match[1], match[2]];
}

answered Mar 11, 2011 at 22:52

Ben Blank

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3 Comments

Couto Over a year ago

Although it's possible to do multidimensional arrays in javascript... wouldn't be more correct to use an object?

Ben Blank Over a year ago

Yes, this loop will produce a two-dimensional array. Whether it makes more sense to store it as an array of arrays or an array of objects is too situational to cover in a short answer. :-)

Xi Vix Over a year ago

Yeah ... that's the two-phase approach I was talking about ... was hoping for one ... but oh well ... thanks

Martin Jespersen · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-11 22:46:10Z

0

Not really. There are no native javascript functions that return a two-dimensional array.

answered Mar 11, 2011 at 22:46

Martin Jespersen

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Comments

Mike Samuel · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-11 23:19:35Z

0

If you wanted to parse a CSV for example, you can do

var parsedStuff = [];
stringOfStuff.replace(/\r\n/g, '\n')  // Normalize newlines
    // Parse lines and dump them in parsedStuff.
    .replace(/.*/g, function (_) { parsedStuff.push(_ ? _.split(/,/g)) : []; })

Running

stringOfStuff = 'foo,bar\n\nbaz,boo,boo'
var parsedStuff = [];
stringOfStuff.replace(/\r\n/g, '\n')
    .replace(/.*/g, function (_) { parsedStuff.push(_ ? _.split(/,/g)) : []; })
JSON.stringify(parsedStuff);

outputs

[["foo","bar"],[],["baz","boo","boo"]]

You can adjust the /,/ to suite whatever record separator you use.

answered Mar 11, 2011 at 23:19

Mike Samuel

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