Unexpected nested loop behavior in javascript

Question

I'm implementing a sort, and I've run into some unexpected behavior:

var searches = ['beta', 'alpha'];
var i = 0; j = 0;

for(i = 0; i < searches.length; i++){
        min = i;

        // first time through, i = 0
         alert(i); 
        for(j = i; j<searches.length; j++);
        {
            // first time through j = 2. If i = 0, how does j = 2?
             alert(j); 
            // .. sort code
        }
}

In fact, j is always 2. Why isn't j being set to i when it enters the for loop?

Here's the jsfiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/w2kK9/3/

David G · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-30 19:48:37Z

6

You have a misplaced semi-colon:

for (j = i; j < searches.length; j++); // <--

The rest is interpreted as a block that runs after the loop has executed (when j == 2).

Take that out and it works fine.

edited Nov 30, 2012 at 19:48

answered Nov 1, 2012 at 19:40

David G

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NominSim · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-01 19:40:43Z

2

Your nested for loop isn't doing anything:

for(j = i; j<searches.length; j++); // <- Your for loop proceeds only on this line.

Remove the semi colon.

answered Nov 1, 2012 at 19:40

NominSim

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