How can I select a random string from an array and assign it to a variable?

Question

For example

var names = array["bob","tom","jake"];

how could I select a random name from that array and assign it to the variable

var randomName = I don't know what goes here

Mihai Alexandru-Ionut · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-27T15:49:42.770

3

You should use Math.random method.

var random=Math.floor((Math.random() * names.length));
var randomName=names[random];

Also, in javascript the arrays are declared like this :

var names = ["bob","tom","jake"];

not

var names = array["bob","tom","jake"];

var names = ["bob","tom","jake"];
var random=  Math.floor((Math.random() * names.length));
var randomName=names[random];
console.log(randomName);

edited Sep 27 '17 at 15:49

answered Feb 05 '17 at 20:19

1

How does var random work? – Feb 05 '17 at 20:22
2

@TheLegend27 It generates a random number between `0` and `names.length - 1`. – BenM Feb 05 '17 at 20:23
1

As @BenM said, it generates a random number from 0 and `names.length-1` – Mihai Alexandru-Ionut Feb 05 '17 at 20:24
Why do you have to subtract 1? – Feb 05 '17 at 20:35
1

Because array indexes are from 0. – Mihai Alexandru-Ionut Feb 05 '17 at 20:35
In your case: "bob" has index 0, "tom" has index 1... If you have more elements in array, the last one has index `array.length-1`. – Mihai Alexandru-Ionut Feb 05 '17 at 20:37
Oh ok I forgot about that – Feb 05 '17 at 20:37
@TheLegend27, don't forget to accept answer in order to help other people. – Mihai Alexandru-Ionut Feb 05 '17 at 20:38
my bad hope I can help people now – Feb 05 '17 at 22:12

Arko Ahmed · Answer 2 · 2017-02-05T20:31:22.810

0

Use random method

 var randomName = names[Math.floor(Math.random()*items.length)];

edited Feb 05 '17 at 20:31

answered Feb 05 '17 at 20:22

Arko Ahmed

2 Answers2