finding min but zero

Question

How can I find the smallest positive (non-zero) number in an array of doubles? For example, if the array contains 0.04, 0.0001, and 0.0, I want to return 0.0001.

The below function is good, but it will return zero as the min, which is not my interest.

static double[] absOfSub = new double[100];
...

private static double compare(double[] ds) {
  double min = absOfSub[0];

  for (double d : ds) {
    min = Math.min(min, d);
  }
  return min;
}

How can I make it ignore zeroes?

Why is it wrong? it seems to me like the lowest number in the array. — MByD
– MByD, Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 5:04
@BinyaminSharet did you scroll down? isnt 7.719277021974478E-73 smaller than that? — lonesome
– lonesome, Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 5:07
No no no, the bigger the X in the E-X, the lower the number... this is scientific notation... — MByD
– MByD, Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 5:08
@BinyaminSharet ooh my bad math :) ok so your answer is right then :) — lonesome
– lonesome, Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 5:10
@lonesome Please check my edit and see if it's clearer and asks the right question. — Adam Liss
– Adam Liss, Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 5:17

MByD · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-29 04:42:57Z

7

You can check for zero:

double min = Double.MAX_VALUE;
for (double d : ds) 
{
    min = (d == 0) ? min : Math.min(min, d);
}

answered Apr 29, 2012 at 4:42

MByD

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3 Comments

lonesome Over a year ago

shouldnt it be Double.MIN_VALUE?

MByD Over a year ago

Nope. if you start with Double.MIN_VALUE, you'll always get it as a result (Double.MIN_VALUE) regardless of what your array contains, if you start with Double.MAX_VALUE, you'll get the lowest in the array.

MByD Over a year ago

I have looked, see my comment.

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