Is there any easier way of checking one variables value against several others? Currently I'm using code like this:

if(a[i] == a[i-13] || a[i] == a[i+13] || a[i] == a[i-1] || a[i] == a[i+1]){
  //my code
}

Now, is there a shorter way to do this? I know I can use a switch, but then I'd have to write my function several times. Is there an easier way of doing this?

Is there any easier way of checking one variables value against several others? Currently I'm using code like this:

if(a[i] == a[i-13] || a[i] == a[i+13] || a[i] == a[i-1] || a[i] == a[i+1]){
  //my code
}

Now, is there a shorter way to do this? I know I can use a switch, but then I'd have to write my function several times. Is there an easier way of doing this?

• javascript
• if-statement

3 Answers 3

You do not need to write your function several times with a switch:

switch(a[i]){
  case a[i-13]:
  case a[i+13]:
  case a[i-1]:
  case a[i+1]:
    // This code will run if any of the above cases are true.
}

Amusingly, however, this is just about the same number of characters (depending on how you format it). A switch statement in general is less powerful than an explicit if statement, but in this case I find it clearer and less error-prone.

And better yet:

if (matchesAdjacent(a, i)) {
    // etc.
}

Move the logic out of the mainline code into an appropriately-named method.

This also lets you do your bounds checking there (if it isn't already guaranteed elsewhere).

No. However the following looks neater:

if(a[i] == a[i-13] || 
   a[i] == a[i+13] || 
   a[i] == a[i-1] || 
   a[i] == a[i+1]
) {
  //my code
}