Question

I created the following 2D array in Javascript

// Create basic linear array
var ImgArray = new Array(4);

// Do the 2D array for each or the linear array slots
for (i=0; i < 4 ; i++) {
    ImgArray[i] = new Array(4)
}

Now i want to iterate through it using 2 ‘ enhanced for loops’. But am stuck on how to use the loop as there is only ImgArray stated a such. For example;

// Load the images
for(var i in ImgArray) { 
    for( ??? ) {           // How would i do this? What do i state as an array?
          ///...
    }
    document.write("<br>");
}

Any advise well appreciated

Answer 1

Assuming the array you’ve created, the loop looks like this:

var i, j, entry, ImgArray;

// Create the array
ImgArray = new Array(4);
for (i=0; i < 4 ; i++) {
    ImgArray[i] = new Array(4);
}

// Loop through both dimensions
for (i = 0; i < ImgArray.length; ++i) {
    entry = ImgArray[i];
    for (j = 0; j < entry.length; ++j) {
        // Do something with entry[j]
    }
}

This is because there are no two-dimensional arrays in JavaScript. (In fact, even arrays aren’t really arrays, but let’s not go there.) There are “arrays”, and an array entry can be another array, but one array entry might be longer or shorter than others. So you retrieve that array and loop through its length, which may be different than others in the same “dimension”.

Note that I didn’t use for..in above. Don’t use for..in to loop through arrays unless you really know what you’re doing; details here. (If you do really know what you’re doing and take adequate precautions, it’s fine, but your quoted code isn’t taking the necessary precautions.) for..in does not iterate the indexes of an array, it enumerates the property names of an object.

Off-topic #1: In JavaScript, the convention (which you’re free to ignore) is to only use initial caps (ImgArray) for constructor functions.

Off-topic #2: You might look at using array literals ([entry, entry, entry]) rather than new Array(...), but it depends on what you’re doing.

Off-topic #3: It’s a very bad idea to rely on semicolon insertion (as with your ImgArray[i] = new Array(4) line). Make sure to put in the semicolons where they’re needed, or you’ll find that you can’t minify your scripts properly and/or that you’ll fight odd bugs that waste your time. 🙂