Generate Array of Values between Min and Max

Question

Looking to create a function in (vanilla) JavaScript that generates an array with n values between a min and max value, where n is a specified number of steps. The first value should be the min, the last should be the max.

i.e.

function returnAllSteps(min,max,totalSteps) {
  var steps = new Array(totalSteps);
  for (i = 0; i < totalSteps; i++) {
    steps[i] = // HELP: return number value between min and max?
  }
  console.log(steps);
}
returnAllSteps(0,10,30); // min = 0, max = 10, totalSteps = 30 (give me an array with 30 steps between 0 and 10)

I would also like to be able to return a single step value within the range. Does this have to happen in a different function?

i.e.

function returnStep(min,max,totalSteps,stepNumberToReturn) {
  // HELP: do I even need another function to do this?
}
returnStep(0,10,30,20); // min = 0, max = 10, totalSteps = 30, stepNumberToReturn = 20
// Return the value at array[20 - 1]

Any help would be much appreciated!

Does this answer your question? Create array of all integers between two numbers, inclusive, in Javascript/jQuery — Heretic Monkey
– Heretic Monkey, Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 19:25
@Tibrogargan That's not how we counter duplicate proposals on Stack Overflow. See the last paragraph of stackoverflow.com/help/duplicates — Heretic Monkey
– Heretic Monkey, Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 19:34
See also Does JavaScript have a method like "range()" to generate a range within the supplied bounds?, especially this answer — Heretic Monkey
– Heretic Monkey, Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 19:36
@HereticMonkey oddly enough, that answer exhibits exactly why this question is not a duplicate, since JavaScript floating point math behavior will make it fail. — Tibrogargan
– Tibrogargan, Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 23:22

KompjoeFriek · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-08 19:15:16Z

1

Only one function is needed to generate and return an array with all steps:

function returnAllSteps(min, max, totalSteps) {
  let steps = new Array(totalSteps);
  let distance = max - min;
  for (i = 0; i < totalSteps; i++) {
    steps[i] = min + distance * (i / (totalSteps - 1));
  }
  return steps;
}

let mySteps = returnAllSteps(0, 10, 30); // min = 0, max = 10, totalSteps = 30 (give me an array with 30 steps between 0 and 10)
console.log(mySteps);

Then just get the step you need from mySteps directly. For example: mySteps[20]

answered Nov 8, 2023 at 19:15

KompjoeFriek

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2 Comments

Tibrogargan Over a year ago

Maybe let step = (max - min) / (totalSteps - 1) and steps[i] = min + step * i

Tibrogargan Over a year ago

Also maybe explain why the for loop should not be for (i = min; i <= max; i += step)

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