jsFun

This repo contains practice exercises for solving data manipulation challenges using JS prototype methods.

Getting Started

Fork this repo (do not clone), then clone your forked copy to your machine. cd into the directory for the project and run npm install.

Check out this video for a walkthrough of the set up and first test!

Running the Tests

To run all tests for both protoype methods and scope:

npm test

To run the tests for just a single concept:

npm run testScope or npm run testPrototypes

Understanding Prototype Methods

Understanding how to use prototype methods is an important step in learning how to work with application data. As you build more complex applications, you'll find yourself working with very large datasets. These datasets might need to be massaged into new formats or connect to other sources of data. A solid problem solving process and fluency using prototype methods will allow you to accomplish these tasks.

In order to be successful when working with prototype methods, you'll need to have a solid understanding of the following concepts:

dot vs. bracket notation - when, why, and how to use each
mutator vs. accessor vs. iterator methods
the main characteristics of each prototype method:
- what it does
- what arguments it takes in
- what it returns
iteration - how do iterator methods let us look at each element one at a time and take neccesary action iteratively
scope - how JS runs each line of code, in what order, where to place returns and console.logs, etc

Assessment Prep Focus

🚨 You should expect to need the following methods on your midmod and final assessments:

forEach
filter
reduce
map
sort
includes
split
join

Object.keys() will not be needed for your midmod or final assessments.

Solidifying a Problem Solving Process

A benefit of this type of practice is that it can help you build a solid problem solving process that you can apply to any code challenge you encounter whether its ruby, JavaScript, familiar or unfamiliar. Often, the biggest challenge in this type of work is not that you don't understand the prototype methods, but rather your problem solving process isn't polished enough for you to break down complex data and problems into small solvable steps.

Problem Solving Process

Restate the goal in your own words. Take note of EXACTLY what the final output(s) should be.
Consider the data that you’re working with. What data types are you working with? Are there any parameters/arguments? What data in particular do you need access to?
Ask clarifying questions that you have about the goal and/or the data. Is there anything that still unclear? It is critical that you have a complete and accurate idea of the goal and data before you move on.
Pseudocode the steps needed to get to the goal. Write out your plan, with specific steps, in plain English. What will you need to do first? Then what?… Note: You may only be able to pseudocode out the first couple of steps - that’s okay! Plan out as much as possible now.
Research what you don’t know. Is there something you’ve noted in your pseudocode that you don’t know how to do? Take note of that and google. Start coding by referencing the pseudocode you’ve written.
Stuck? Go back to step 4 and repeat steps 4-6 until you’ve reached your goal.
Refactor your code, if necessary. You should not be worried about writing the “best” code possible while solving the problem. Get it to work, then you can work on improving the code.
Make note of your approach and key learning you encountered

Instructions

In the prototypes/index.js file, you'll see several objects named after a collection of prompts that need to be solved. Each prompt is represented by a separate method on that object.

For example, the first object of prompts is called kittyPrompts and coincides with the dataset at prototypes/datasets/kitties.js. As you work through the methods on this object, it will help to switch your text editor layout to display 2 files at once - one for the dataset you're working with, and one for the prompts to be solved.

Each prompt has an explanation of how the dataset should be manipulated, and what the final output should look like.

For example, given the following dataset and prompt:

// dataset/farm.js

const animals = [
  { name: 'cow', sound: 'moo', count: 30 },
  { name: 'chicken', sound: 'cluck', count: 10 },
  { name: 'sheep', sound: 'baah', count: 20 }
];

module.exports = {
  animals
};


// prototypes/index.js
const { animals } = require('./datasets/farm');

const farmPrompts = {
  totalFarmAnimals() {
    // Return a single number that represents the
    // total amount of animals on the farm. e.g.
    // 50

    /* CODE GOES HERE */

    // Annotation:
    // Write your annotation here as a comment
  }
}

Your solution should look something like the following:

// prototypes/index.js
const { animals } = require('./datasets/farm');

const farmPrompts = {
  totalFarmAnimals() {
    // Return a single number that represents the
    // total amount of animals on the farm. e.g.
    // 50

    const totalAnimals = animals.reduce((total, animal) => {
      return total += animal.count;
    }, 0);

    return totalAnimals;

    // Annotation:
    // Because we are given an array, and want a single number back,
    // we will reach for the `reduce` method since it is the only one
    // that allows us to return a value of any data type. On each iteration
    // of reduce, we will add our current animal's `count` value to the 
    // accumulator which will be returned when the iteration is complete.
  }
}

You will then check that your solution is correct by running the corresponding test in test/prototype-test.js.

Prototype Test Checklist

If you'd like to keep track of your progress, feel free to use the checklist below. Change the [ ] to [x] in order to check off each item.

Single Data Sets

Double Data Sets

turing (instructors, cohorts)
astronomy (constellations, stars)
ultima (weapons, characters)

Triple Data Sets

dinosaurs (dinosaurs, humans, movies)

Object.keys Challenges (optional, not needed for assessment prep)

bosses (bosses, sidekicks)
astronomy II (constellations, stars)
dinosaurs II (dinosaurs, humans, movies)

More Practice

For more practice and assessment prep, check out this extra-practice-se2-assessment-style repo

garrettgregor/jsFUNk