Check if object element exists in array

Question

After some web scraping I have an array of names called someObjArr.

Array looks like this: [ { name: Joe 'Panik' } ]

I want to check if a name exists in this array and here is my code:

For Example:

 var someObjArr = [];
 var filter = $('a.player-link').each(function(i, element) {
 var text = $(this).text();
 if(someObjArr[i] == undefined){
 someObjArr[i] = {};
 };
 someObjArr[i].name = text;
 function nameExistsInArray(name, array) {
 for(var i = 0; i < array.length; i++)(function(obj) {
 if(obj.name == name) {
 return true;
 }
 })
 return false;
 };
 var exists = nameExistsInArray('Joe Panik', [{ name: 'Joe Panik' }]);
 console.log(exists);
 });

The output from this script return false fir every item in the array.

• Jeff: because you compare an Object with a String!
• CiscoKidx: How would I compare an object in this situation?
• nikoss: I dont exactly get the poit what are you trying to do here if you have objects why you are trying to put them into an array and anyway without stringifying them you cannot do that way if you explain mod eclear what is the aim here exactly i will try to help
• Jeff: right now you don't ask if the personExists from anywere outside that function.
• Wand Maker: Looks like var check = personExists([{Name: 'Joe Panik'}]); is dead code, it is preceded by a return statement, You will certainly benefit by formatting your code, and by using meaninful variable names

Answer 1

How about something like this?

function nameExistsInArray(name, array) { 
 for(var i = 0; i < array.length; i++) {
 if(array[i].Name == name) {
 return true;
 }
 }
 return false;
};

Usage:

var exists = nameExistsInArray('Joe Panik', [{ Name: 'Joe Panik' }]);

Explanation: You want to determine if some name of type string is equal to one of the Name properties of the objects in an array.

In our function, we'll pass a string name and an array of objects with Name properties. Then, we'll iterate through each obj in array using a for loop, and then we'll access the Name property and compare it with the name argument. When we see it, return true, but if we've iterated through every element and haven't found a match, we'll return false.

• thoughtrepo: Array.forEach uses a closure. In your example, nameExistsInArray will always return false. Use a normal for loop.
• CiscoKidx: I updated my OP with your code. I had to add a little because obj is undefined in yours. Unfrtunatly it still produces a false for each item in the array.
• CiscoKidx: My one question would be is there a way to make it return a single true or false as opposed to one for each loop
• heartyporridge: The function actually does return a single true or false value. That's because it will only return if the if statement conditional is met, or if the loop is over.
• CiscoKidx: It returns one true or false for your exmaple but in my array I have 300 people it it. It checks each one and returns a true or false.