We Keep Coding

Js how to set an item at a nested index in an empty array [duplicate]

I hope someone can help me with this Javascript.
I have an Object called "Settings" and I would like to write a function that adds new settings to that object.
The new setting's name and value are provided as strings. The string giving the setting's name is then split by the underscores into an array. The new setting should get added to the existing "Settings" object by creating new nested objects with the names given by each part of the array, except the last part which should be a string giving the setting's value. I should then be able to refer to the setting and e.g. alert its value. I can do this in a static way like this...
var Settings = {};
var newSettingName = "Modules_Video_Plugin";
var newSettingValue = "JWPlayer";
var newSettingNameArray = newSettingName.split("_");
Settings[newSettingNameArray[0]] = {};
Settings[newSettingNameArray[0]][newSettingNameArray[1]] = {};
Settings[newSettingNameArray[0]][newSettingNameArray[1]][newSettingNameArray[2]] = newSettingValue;
alert(Settings.Modules.Mediaplayers.Video.Plugin);
... the part that creates the nested objects is doing this ...
Settings["Modules"] = {};
Settings["Modules"]["Video"] = {};
Settings["Modules"]["Video"]["Plugin"] = "JWPlayer";
However, as the number of parts that make up the setting name can vary, e.g. a newSettingName could be "Modules_Floorplan_Image_Src", I'd like to do this dynamically using a function such as...
createSetting (newSettingNameArray, newSettingValue);
function createSetting(setting, value) {
// code to create new setting goes here
}
Can anyone help me work out how to do this dynamically?
I presume there has to be a for...loop in there to itterate through the array, but I haven't been able to work out a way to create the nested objects.
If you've got this far thanks very much for taking the time to read even if you can't help.

Put in a function, short and fast (no recursion).
var createNestedObject = function( base, names ) {
for( var i = 0; i < names.length; i++ ) {
base = base[ names[i] ] = base[ names[i] ] || {};
}
};
// Usage:
createNestedObject( window, ["shapes", "triangle", "points"] );
// Now window.shapes.triangle.points is an empty object, ready to be used.
It skips already existing parts of the hierarchy. Useful if you are not sure whether the hierarchy was already created.
Or:
A fancier version where you can directly assign the value to the last object in the hierarchy, and you can chain function calls because it returns the last object.
// Function: createNestedObject( base, names[, value] )
// base: the object on which to create the hierarchy
// names: an array of strings contaning the names of the objects
// value (optional): if given, will be the last object in the hierarchy
// Returns: the last object in the hierarchy
var createNestedObject = function( base, names, value ) {
// If a value is given, remove the last name and keep it for later:
var lastName = arguments.length === 3 ? names.pop() : false;
// Walk the hierarchy, creating new objects where needed.
// If the lastName was removed, then the last object is not set yet:
for( var i = 0; i < names.length; i++ ) {
base = base[ names[i] ] = base[ names[i] ] || {};
}
// If a value was given, set it to the last name:
if( lastName ) base = base[ lastName ] = value;
// Return the last object in the hierarchy:
return base;
};
// Usages:
createNestedObject( window, ["shapes", "circle"] );
// Now window.shapes.circle is an empty object, ready to be used.
var obj = {}; // Works with any object other that window too
createNestedObject( obj, ["shapes", "rectangle", "width"], 300 );
// Now we have: obj.shapes.rectangle.width === 300
createNestedObject( obj, "shapes.rectangle.height".split('.'), 400 );
// Now we have: obj.shapes.rectangle.height === 400
Note: if your hierarchy needs to be built from values other that standard objects (ie. not {}), see also TimDog's answer below.
Edit: uses regular loops instead of for...in loops. It's safer in cases where a library modifies the Array prototype.

function assign(obj, keyPath, value) {
lastKeyIndex = keyPath.length-1;
for (var i = 0; i < lastKeyIndex; ++ i) {
key = keyPath[i];
if (!(key in obj)){
obj[key] = {}
}
obj = obj[key];
}
obj[keyPath[lastKeyIndex]] = value;
}
Usage:
var settings = {};
assign(settings, ['Modules', 'Video', 'Plugin'], 'JWPlayer');

My ES2015 solution. Keeps existing values.
const set = (obj, path, val) => {
const keys = path.split('.');
const lastKey = keys.pop();
const lastObj = keys.reduce((obj, key) =>
obj[key] = obj[key] || {},
obj);
lastObj[lastKey] = val;
};
Example:
const obj = {'a': {'prop': {'that': 'exists'}}};
set(obj, 'a.very.deep.prop', 'value');
console.log(JSON.stringify(obj));
// {"a":{"prop":{"that":"exists"},"very":{"deep":{"prop":"value"}}}}

Using ES6 is shorten. Set your path into an array.
first, you have to reverse the array, to start filling the object.
let obj = ['a','b','c'] // {a:{b:{c:{}}}
obj.reverse();
const nestedObject = obj.reduce((prev, current) => (
{[current]:{...prev}}
), {});

Another recursive solution:
var nest = function(obj, keys, v) {
if (keys.length === 1) {
obj[keys[0]] = v;
} else {
var key = keys.shift();
obj[key] = nest(typeof obj[key] === 'undefined' ? {} : obj[key], keys, v);
}
return obj;
};
Example usage:
var dog = {bark: {sound: 'bark!'}};
nest(dog, ['bark', 'loudness'], 66);
nest(dog, ['woff', 'sound'], 'woff!');
console.log(dog); // {bark: {loudness: 66, sound: "bark!"}, woff: {sound: "woff!"}}

I love this ES6 immutable way to set certain value on nested field:
const setValueToField = (fields, value) => {
const reducer = (acc, item, index, arr) => ({ [item]: index + 1 < arr.length ? acc : value });
return fields.reduceRight(reducer, {});
};
And then use it with creating your target object.
const targetObject = setValueToField(['one', 'two', 'three'], 'nice');
console.log(targetObject); // Output: { one: { two: { three: 'nice' } } }

Lodash has a _.set method to achieve this
let obj = {}
_.set(obj, ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd'], 'e')
or
_.set(obj, 'a.b.c.d', 'e')
// which generate the following object
{
"a": {
"b": {
"c": {
"d": "e"
}
}
}
}

Here is a simple tweak to jlgrall's answer that allows setting distinct values on each element in the nested hierarchy:
var createNestedObject = function( base, names, values ) {
for( var i in names ) base = base[ names[i] ] = base[ names[i] ] || (values[i] || {});
};
Hope it helps.

Here is a functional solution to dynamically create nested objects.
const nest = (path, obj) => {
const reversedPath = path.split('.').reverse();
const iter = ([head, ...tail], obj) => {
if (!head) {
return obj;
}
const newObj = {[head]: {...obj}};
return iter(tail, newObj);
}
return iter(reversedPath, obj);
}
Example:
const data = {prop: 'someData'};
const path = 'a.deep.path';
const result = nest(path, data);
console.log(JSON.stringify(result));
// {"a":{"deep":{"path":{"prop":"someData"}}}}

Inspired by ImmutableJS setIn method which will never mutate the original. This works with mixed array and object nested values.
function setIn(obj = {}, [prop, ...rest], value) {
const newObj = Array.isArray(obj) ? [...obj] : {...obj};
newObj[prop] = rest.length ? setIn(obj[prop], rest, value) : value;
return newObj;
}
var obj = {
a: {
b: {
c: [
{d: 5}
]
}
}
};
const newObj = setIn(obj, ["a", "b", "c", 0, "x"], "new");
//obj === {a: {b: {c: [{d: 5}]}}}
//newObj === {a: {b: {c: [{d: 5, x: "new"}]}}}

Appreciate that this question is mega old! But after coming across a need to do something like this in node, I made a module and published it to npm.
Nestob
var nestob = require('nestob');
//Create a new nestable object - instead of the standard js object ({})
var newNested = new nestob.Nestable();
//Set nested object properties without having to create the objects first!
newNested.setNested('biscuits.oblong.marmaduke', 'cheese');
newNested.setNested(['orange', 'tartan', 'pipedream'], { poppers: 'astray', numbers: [123,456,789]});
console.log(newNested, newNested.orange.tartan.pipedream);
//{ biscuits: { oblong: { marmaduke: 'cheese' } },
orange: { tartan: { pipedream: [Object] } } } { poppers: 'astray', numbers: [ 123, 456, 789 ] }
//Get nested object properties without having to worry about whether the objects exist
//Pass in a default value to be returned if desired
console.log(newNested.getNested('generic.yoghurt.asguard', 'autodrome'));
//autodrome
//You can also pass in an array containing the object keys
console.log(newNested.getNested(['chosp', 'umbridge', 'dollar'], 'symbols'));
//symbols
//You can also use nestob to modify objects not created using nestob
var normalObj = {};
nestob.setNested(normalObj, 'running.out.of', 'words');
console.log(normalObj);
//{ running: { out: { of: 'words' } } }
console.log(nestob.getNested(normalObj, 'random.things', 'indigo'));
//indigo
console.log(nestob.getNested(normalObj, 'improbable.apricots'));
//false

Inside your loop you can use lodash.set and will create the path for you:
...
const set = require('lodash.set');
const p = {};
const [type, lang, name] = f.split('.');
set(p, [lang, type, name], '');
console.log(p);
// { lang: { 'type': { 'name': '' }}}

try using recursive function:
function createSetting(setting, value, index) {
if (typeof index !== 'number') {
index = 0;
}
if (index+1 == setting.length ) {
settings[setting[index]] = value;
}
else {
settings[setting[index]] = {};
createSetting(setting, value, ++index);
}
}

I think, this is shorter:
Settings = {};
newSettingName = "Modules_Floorplan_Image_Src";
newSettingValue = "JWPlayer";
newSettingNameArray = newSettingName.split("_");
a = Settings;
for (var i = 0 in newSettingNameArray) {
var x = newSettingNameArray[i];
a[x] = i == newSettingNameArray.length-1 ? newSettingValue : {};
a = a[x];
}

I found #jlgrall's answer was great but after simplifying it, it didn't work in Chrome. Here's my fixed should anyone want a lite version:
var callback = 'fn.item1.item2.callbackfunction',
cb = callback.split('.'),
baseObj = window;
function createNestedObject(base, items){
$.each(items, function(i, v){
base = base[v] = (base[v] || {});
});
}
callbackFunction = createNestedObject(baseObj, cb);
console.log(callbackFunction);
I hope this is useful and relevant. Sorry, I've just smashed this example out...

You can define your own Object methods; also I'm using underscore for brevity:
var _ = require('underscore');
// a fast get method for object, by specifying an address with depth
Object.prototype.pick = function(addr) {
if (!_.isArray(addr)) return this[addr]; // if isn't array, just get normally
var tmpo = this;
while (i = addr.shift())
tmpo = tmpo[i];
return tmpo;
};
// a fast set method for object, put value at obj[addr]
Object.prototype.put = function(addr, val) {
if (!_.isArray(addr)) this[addr] = val; // if isn't array, just set normally
this.pick(_.initial(addr))[_.last(addr)] = val;
};
Sample usage:
var obj = {
'foo': {
'bar': 0 }}
obj.pick('foo'); // returns { bar: 0 }
obj.pick(['foo','bar']); // returns 0
obj.put(['foo', 'bar'], -1) // obj becomes {'foo': {'bar': -1}}

A snippet for those who need to create a nested objects with support of array keys to set a value to the end of path. Path is the string like: modal.product.action.review.2.write.survey.data. Based on jlgrall version.
var updateStateQuery = function(state, path, value) {
var names = path.split('.');
for (var i = 0, len = names.length; i < len; i++) {
if (i == (len - 1)) {
state = state[names[i]] = state[names[i]] || value;
}
else if (parseInt(names[i+1]) >= 0) {
state = state[names[i]] = state[names[i]] || [];
}
else {
state = state[names[i]] = state[names[i]] || {};
}
}
};

Set Nested Data:
function setNestedData(root, path, value) {
var paths = path.split('.');
var last_index = paths.length - 1;
paths.forEach(function(key, index) {
if (!(key in root)) root[key] = {};
if (index==last_index) root[key] = value;
root = root[key];
});
return root;
}
var obj = {'existing': 'value'};
setNestedData(obj, 'animal.fish.pet', 'derp');
setNestedData(obj, 'animal.cat.pet', 'musubi');
console.log(JSON.stringify(obj));
// {"existing":"value","animal":{"fish":{"pet":"derp"},"cat":{"pet":"musubi"}}}
Get Nested Data:
function getNestedData(obj, path) {
var index = function(obj, i) { return obj && obj[i]; };
return path.split('.').reduce(index, obj);
}
getNestedData(obj, 'animal.cat.pet')
// "musubi"
getNestedData(obj, 'animal.dog.pet')
// undefined

Try this: https://github.com/silkyland/object-to-formdata
var obj2fd = require('obj2fd/es5').default
var fd = obj2fd({
a:1,
b:[
{c: 3},
{d: 4}
]
})
Result :
fd = [
a => 1,
b => [
c => 3,
d => 4
]
]

Here is a decomposition to several useful functions, that each preserve existing data. Does not handle arrays.
setDeep: Answers question. Non-destructive to other data in the object.
setDefaultDeep: Same, but only sets if not already set.
setDefault: Sets a key if not already set. Same as Python's setdefault.
setStructure: Helper function that builds the path.
// Create a nested structure of objects along path within obj. Only overwrites the final value.
let setDeep = (obj, path, value) =>
setStructure(obj, path.slice(0, -1))[path[path.length - 1]] = value
// Create a nested structure of objects along path within obj. Does not overwrite any value.
let setDefaultDeep = (obj, path, value) =>
setDefault(setStructure(obj, path.slice(0, -1)), path[path.length - 1], value)
// Set obj[key] to value if key is not in object, and return obj[key]
let setDefault = (obj, key, value) =>
obj[key] = key in obj ? obj[key] : value;
// Create a nested structure of objects along path within obj. Does not overwrite any value.
let setStructure = (obj, path) =>
path.reduce((obj, segment) => setDefault(obj, segment, {}), obj);
// EXAMPLES
let temp = {};
// returns the set value, similar to assignment
console.log('temp.a.b.c.d:',
setDeep(temp, ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd'], 'one'))
// not destructive to 'one'
setDeep(temp, ['a', 'b', 'z'], 'two')
// does not overwrite, returns previously set value
console.log('temp.a.b.z: ',
setDefaultDeep(temp, ['a', 'b', 'z'], 'unused'))
// creates new, returns current value
console.log('temp["a.1"]: ',
setDefault(temp, 'a.1', 'three'))
// can also be used as a getter
console.log("temp.x.y.z: ",
setStructure(temp, ['x', 'y', 'z']))
console.log("final object:", temp)
I'm not sure why anyone would want string paths:
They are ambiguous for keys with periods
You have to build the strings in the first place

Since I started with something from this page, I wanted to contribute back
Other examples overwrote the final node even if it was set, and that wasn't what I wanted.
Also, if returnObj is set to true, it returns the base object. By default, falsy, it returns the deepest node.
function param(obj, path, value, returnObj) {
if (typeof path == 'string') path = path.split(".");
var child = obj;
path.forEach((key, i) => {
if (!(key in child)) {
child[key] = (i < path.length-1) ? {} : value || {};
}
child = child[key];
});
return returnObj ? obj : child;
}
var x = {};
var xOut = param(x, "y.z", "setting")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.z", "overwrite") // won't set
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2", true) // get object rather than deepest node.
console.log(xOut);
You can also do something where numeric keys are placed in arrays (if they don't already exist). Note that numeric keys won't convert to arrays for the first element of the path, since that's set by the type of your base-object.
function isNumber(n) {
return !isNaN(parseFloat(n)) && isFinite(n);
}
function param(obj, path, value, returnObj) {
if (typeof path == 'string') path = path.split(".");
var child = obj;
path.forEach((key, i) => {
var nextKey = path[i+1];
if (!(key in child)) {
child[key] = (nextKey == undefined && value != undefined
? value
: isNumber(nextKey)
? []
: {});
}
child = child[key];
});
return returnObj ? obj : child;
}
var x = {};
var xOut = param(x, "y.z", "setting")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.z", "overwrite") // won't set
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2")
console.log(xOut);
xOut = param(x, "y.a", "setting2", true) // get object rather than deepest node.
xOut = param(x, "1.0.2.a", "setting")
xOut = param(x, "1.0.1.a", "try to override") // won't set
xOut = param(x, "1.0.5.a", "new-setting", true) // get object rather than deepest node.
console.log(xOut);
Naturally, when the numeric keys are greater than 0, you might see some undefined gaps.
Practical uses of this might be
function AddNote(book, page, line) {
// assume a global global notes collection
var myNotes = param(allNotes, [book, page, line], []);
myNotes.push('This was a great twist!')
return myNotes;
}
var allNotes = {}
var youthfulHopes = AddNote('A Game of Thrones', 4, 2, "I'm already hooked, at least I won't have to wait long for the books to come out!");
console.log(allNotes)
// {"A Game of Thrones": [undefined, undefined, undefined, undefined, [undefined, undefined, ["I'm already hooked, at least I won't have to wait long for the books to come out!"]]]}
console.log(youthfulHopes)
// ["I'm already hooked, at least I won't have to wait long for the books to come out!"]

function initPath(obj, path) {
path.split('.').reduce((o, key) => (
Object.assign(o, {[key]: Object(o[key])}),
o[key]
), obj);
return obj;
}
Usage
const obj = { a: { b: 'value1' } };
initPath(obj, 'a.c.d').a.c.d='value2';
/*
{
"a": {
"b": "value1",
"c": {
"d": "value2"
}
}
}
*/

simple answer. on es6, im using this
const assign = (obj, path, value) => {
let keyPath = path.split('.')
let lastKeyIndex = keyPath.length - 1
for (let i = 0; i < lastKeyIndex; ++i) {
let key = keyPath[i]
if (!(key in obj)) {
obj[key] = {}
}
obj = obj[key]
}
obj[keyPath[lastKeyIndex]] = value
}
example json
const obj = {
b: 'hello'
}
you can add new key
assign(obj, 'c.d.e', 'this value')
and you get like bellow
console.log(obj)
//response example
obj = {
b: 'hello',
c: {
d: {
e: 'this value'
}
}
}

function createObj(keys, value) {
let obj = {}
let schema = obj
keys = keys.split('.')
for (let i = 0; i < keys.length - 1; i++) {
schema[keys[i]] = {}
schema = schema[keys[i]]
}
schema[keys.pop()] = value
return obj
}
let keys = 'value1.value2.value3'
let value = 'Hello'
let obj = createObj(keys, value)

Eval is probably overkill but the result is simple to visualize, with no nested loops or recursion.
function buildDir(obj, path){
var paths = path.split('_');
var final = paths.pop();
for (let i = 1; i <= paths.length; i++) {
var key = "obj['" + paths.slice(0, i).join("']['") + "']"
console.log(key)
eval(`${key} = {}`)
}
eval(`${key} = '${final}'`)
return obj
}
var newSettingName = "Modules_Video_Plugin_JWPlayer";
var Settings = buildDir( {}, newSettingName );
Basically you are progressively writing a string "obj['one']= {}", "obj['one']['two']"= {} and evaling it;

How to filter input value when a specific value is typed

I need to listen to an input and get its value dynamically,when a specific "flag" happens to be typed,get whatever is typed next until a flag appears again.
let me explain :
lets say i have an array of "flags"
let flags = ['foo','bar','baz']
and i have an input to listen which gives me the following string (dynamically,character by character):
let input = "whateveridontneedthatfoodavidbarjennifer-andrew-billbazericfoojohnbarchristen"
*foo and bar appear twice and baz once
i want somehow to create,maybe an object like this :
{
foo: ["david","john"],
bar: ["jennifer-andrew-bill","christen"],
baz: ["eric"]
}
or 3 separate arrays,i dont really care about the structure as long i filter the value properly

Good answer from #Apple BS, I just want to propose this syntax:
const flags = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz']
const str = 'whateveridontneedthatfoodavidbarjennifer-andrew-billbazericfoojohnbarchristen'
const strSplit = str.split(new RegExp(`(${flags.join('|')})`, 'g'))
const obj = Object.fromEntries(flags.map(f => [f, []]))
strSplit.forEach((el, i) => {
if (flags.includes(el)) obj[el].push(strSplit[i + 1])
})
console.log(obj)
EDIT:
There is an other version using regex capture groups.
const str = 'whateveridontneedthatfoodavidbarjennifer-andrew-billbazericfoojohnbarchristen'
const flags = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz'], flagsJoin = flags.join('|')
const obj = Object.fromEntries(flags.map(f => [f, []]))
const regex = new RegExp(`(${flagsJoin})(.*?)(?=${flagsJoin}|$)`, 'g')
for (const [, flag, sub] of str.matchAll(regex)) obj[flag].push(sub)
console.log(obj)

First, construct a regex:
let regex = '('; // parenthesis is added for capturing groups, which means the flags will be captured too
for (f of flags) regex += f + '|';
regex = new RegExp(regex.substring(0, regex.length - 1) + ')', 'g'); // construct the regex with global flag
// regex = /(foo|bar|baz)/g
Then, split the string:
s = s.split(regex) // ["whateveridontneedthat", "foo", "david", "bar", "jennifer-andrew-bill", "baz", "eric", "foo", "john", "bar", "christen"]
Finally, loop through the splitted string and add them to the object.
Below is the full example:
let flags = ['foo', 'bar', 'baz'];
let s = "whateveridontneedthatfoodavidbarjennifer-andrew-billbazericfoojohnbarchristen";
let regex = '(';
let obj = {};
for (f of flags) regex += f + '|';
regex = new RegExp(regex.substring(0, regex.length - 1) + ')', 'g');
s = s.split(regex);
for (let i = 0; i < s.length; i++) {
for (let j = 0; j < flags.length; j++) { // checking for flags
if (s[i] == flags[j]) { // found the flag
if (flags[j] in obj) obj[flags[j]].push(s[i + 1]); // array exist in object
else obj[flags[j]] = [s[i + 1]]; // create array in object
i++; // skip next s[i]
break; // s[i] can only be one of the flag
}
}
}
console.log(obj);

On top of #AppleBS's and #Jean Will's answer,
Just simplify the for loop.
const flags = ["foo", "bar", "baz"];
const str =
"whateveridontneedthatfoodavidbarjennifer-andrew-billbazericfoojohnbarchristen";
const strSplit = str.split(new RegExp(`(${flags.join("|")})`, "g"));
const output = strSplit.reduce((carry, item, idx, arr) => {
if (idx !== 0) {
if (idx % 2 === 0) carry[arr[idx - 1]].push(item);
else if (!carry[item]) carry[item] = [];
}
return carry;
}, {});
console.log(output);

what is the best way to extract variables with '=' from a string in javascript

I want to extract the variables names from a string like this: "foo=valor bar=second", and so on.
To return:
{
foo: "valor",
bar: "second",
...
}

You can use Regex Look Aheads to check for a variable name that is preceded by an = symbol
var str = "foo=valor bar=second";
var varRegex = /\w+(?=(\s)*(\=))/g;
var valueRegex = /(?<=(\=)[\s'"]*)\w+/g;
var varArr = str.match(varRegex);
var valueArr = str.match(valueRegex);
console.log(valueArr);
let obj = {};
for(let i in varArr) {
obj[varArr[i]] = valueArr[i];
}
console.log(obj);

var str = "foo=valor,bar=second";
var obj = {};
str.split(",").forEach(
function(item){
if(item){
var vars = item.split("=");
obj[vars[0]] = vars[1]
}
});
console.log(obj)

Different approach from the previous answer: You can split the string on spaces and then map the result array, splitting on the equal sign to create your object (left side is property, right side is value)
If you need it your specific format you can reduce it to convert the array into one big object with all the values
let a = "foo=valor bar=second"
console.log(a.split(' ').map((i,v) => { return JSON.parse(`{"${i.split('=')[0]}": "${i.split('=')[1]}"}`);}))
let b = a.split(' ').map((i,v) => { return JSON.parse(`{"${i.split('=')[0]}": "${i.split('=')[1]}"}`);})
console.log(b.reduce(function(acc, x) {
for (var key in x) acc[key] = x[key];
return acc;
}));

Not necessarily the quickest answer (in terms of speed of submission), but less regular expressions to maintain and less variables to store.
function toJSON(str) {
const regex = /(\w+)\=(\w+)\s*/g;
let result = {};
let match;
while (match = regex.exec(str)) {
result[match[1]] = match[2];
}
return result;
}
console.log(toJSON("foo=valor bar=second"));

How to find single matching value in two arrays in js

i have a two arrays.
var a = ["a","b","c","d"];
var b = ["c","d","f","k"];
These are my two arrays.Now i need to check any single matching values in two arrays.it should break after finding single match value.
My expect result was c and d matches.

You can use Array#find to iterate one of the arrays, and Array#indexOf
or Array#includes to find if the item exists in 2nd array:
var a = ["a", "b", "c", "d"];
var b = ["c", "d", "f", "k"];
function findMatch(arr1, arr2) {
return arr1.find(function(item) {
return arr2.indexOf(item) === -1;
});
}
var result = findMatch(a, b);
console.log(result);
And a fancy version with arrow functions and consts:
const a = ["a","b","c","d"];
const b = ["c","d","f","k"];
const findMatch = (arr1, arr2) => arr1.find((item) => arr2.includes(item));
const result = findMatch(a, b);
console.log(result);

If you just wanna know if there is duplicate content, this will work :
a.some(x => b.some(y => y === x));
Will gives you true in case of duplicate content.
If you want every matching content in an array
a.filter(x => b.some(y => x === y));
will gives you ['c', 'd']

you can do it in the following way
var a = ["a","b","c","d"];
var b = ["c","d","f","k"];
let ans = a.reduce(function(x, y){
if(x == null){
if(b.indexOf(y) > -1){
return y;
}
}
return x;
}, null);
console.log(ans);

I loop through the first array once and check the index of each value in the second array.
If the index is > -1, then push it onto the returned array.
Array.prototype.diff = function(arr2) {
var ret = [];
for(var i in this) {
if(arr2.indexOf( this[i] ) > -1){
ret.push( this[i] );
}
}
return ret;
};
var array1 = ["cat", "sum","fun", "run", "hut"];
var array2 = ["bat", "cat","dog","sun", "hut", "gut"];
console.log( array1.diff(array2) );

You can use filter() and every() to achieve what you want:
var a = ["a","b","c","d"];
var b = ["c","dx","f","k"];
var isMatched = false;
result = a.filter(x =>{
b.every(s => { return isMatched = s!==x});
});
console.log(!isMatched);

Merge strings in javascript

I want to merge two variable with stings alternately using javascript. What would be an algorithm to accomplish this task?
For example:
var a = "abc"
var b = "def"
result = "adbecf"

I would use Array.from to generate an array from the strings (unicode conscious).
After that, just add a letter from each string until there's no letters left in each. Please note this solution will combine strings of uneven length (aa+bbbb=ababbb)
var a = "abc"
var b = "def"
var d = "foo 𝌆 bar mañana mañana"
function combineStrings(a,b){
var c = "";
a = Array.from(a);
b = Array.from(b);
while(a.length > 0 || b.length > 0){
if(a.length > 0)
c += a.splice(0,1);
if(b.length > 0)
c += b.splice(0,1);
}
return c;
}
var test = combineStrings(a,b);
console.log(test);
var test2 = combineStrings(a,d);
console.log(test2);

The best way to do this is to perform the following algorithm:
Iterate through string 1
For each character, if there is a character in the same position in string 2, replace the original character with both
This can be achieved with the following code:
function merge(s, t) {
return s.split("")
.map(function(v,i) {
return t[i] ? v + t[i] : v
})
.join("")
}
or the more Codegolf type answer:
s=>t=>[...s].map((v,i)=>t[i]?v+t[i]:v).join``

The simple way would be define the longest string and assigned to for loop. Also you have to add if statments for strings of uneven length, because you want to ignore undefined values of shorter string.
function mergeStrings(s1, s2){
var n = s1.length;
if(s1.length < s2.length){
n = s2.length;
}
var string = '';
for(var i = 0; i < n; i++){
if(s1[i]){
string += s1[i];
}
if(s2[i]){
string += s2[i];
}
}
return string;
}
console.log(mergeStrings('ab','lmnap'));
console.log(mergeStrings('abc','def'));

If your strings are the same length, this will work. If not you'll have to append the rest of the longer string after the loop. You can declare i outside of the loop and then use substr() to get the end of the longer string.
const a = "abc"
const b = "def"
var res = "";
for (var i = 0;i < Math.min(a.length, b.length); i++) {
res += a.charAt(i) + b.charAt(i)
}
console.log(res)

Regex or array processing and joining do the job:
let a = 'abc';
let b = 'def';
console.log(a.replace(/./g, (c, i) => c + b[i])); // 'adbecf'
console.log(Array.from(a, (c, i) => c + b[i]).join('')); // 'adbecf'

You can solve this using array spread and reduce. Split each string into an array and merge into one array and then use reduce to generate the merged string.
function mergeStrings(a, b) {
const mergedValues = [
...a.split(''),
...b.split('')
].reduce((values, currentValue) => {
if (!values.includes(currentValue)) {
values.push(currentValue);
}
return values;
}, []);
return Array.from(mergedValues).join('');
}