I have an array of objects, let's say [{x:2, y:3}, {x:5, y:4}] and i call reduce((c, n) => c.y + n.y); on it. It obviouslly returns 7.
However, if the array contains a single object, let's say [{x:2, y:4}] the same reduce call will return the object itself {x:2, y:4}.
Is this normal behaviour? Am I obliged to check if the result is an object and not an number afterwards?
Yes, this is the normal behaviour of reduce when you don't pass an initial value for the accumulator (which you always should). Your code doesn't work as expected on any arrays other than those with two objects.
Go for
arr.reduce((acc, el) => acc + el.y, 0)
map(), however it will affect performance, won't it ?
map, you can always integrate the mapping in your reducer function.It is intended behaviour, when you don't provide an initial value (second argument to reduce). From MDN:
If the array is empty and no
initialValuewas provided,TypeErrorwould be thrown. If the array has only one element (regardless of position) and noinitialValuewas provided, or ifinitialValueis provided but the array is empty, the solo value would be returned without callingcallback.
It comes with the following advise:
It is usually safer to provide an initial value because there are three possible outputs without
initialValue.
So write:
reduce((c, n) => c.y + n.y, { y: 0 });
That's because reduce function can take 1 more argument - default value and if its not specified it takes firs value of array. That's why it works for more than one.
However if you do it like this
let a = [{x:5, y:4}].reduce((c, n) => c + n.y, 0);
console.log(a)it sums propertly.
Did you initialize the accumulator to { y : 0}
If you did not then it will return the original object.
let sum = data.reduce((c, n) => {
return { "y" : c.y + n.y };
}, { y : 0 });
y key.Note: If initialValue isn't provided, reduce will execute the callback function starting at index 1, skipping the first index. If initialValue is provided, it will start at index 0.
If the array is empty and no initialValue is provided, TypeError will be thrown. If the array has only one element (regardless of position) and no initialValue is provided, or if initialValue is provided but the array is empty, the solo value will be returned without calling callback.
It is usually safer to provide an initial value because there are three possible outputs without initialValue, as shown in the following example.
