Tutorials

Lodash _.times() Util Method

Posted in lodash Tutorial

Updated on Oct 18, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 25 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

In the world of JavaScript development, there are often scenarios where you need to execute a block of code repeatedly for a specified number of times. The Lodash utility library provides a convenient solution for this with the _.times() method.

This method allows you to iterate a specified number of times and execute a function during each iteration, offering simplicity and flexibility in handling repetitive tasks.

🧠 Understanding _.times() Method

The _.times() method in Lodash generates an array of values from 0 to n - 1, where n is the specified number of times to iterate. It then invokes the provided iteratee function for each value in the array, passing the current index as an argument.

💡 Syntax

The syntax for the _.times() method is straightforward:

syntax.js

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_.times(n, iteratee)

n: The number of times to invoke the iteratee function.
iteratee: The function invoked per iteration.

📝 Example

Let's dive into a simple example to illustrate the usage of the _.times() method:

example.js

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const _ = require('lodash');

_.times(3, index => {
  console.log(`Iteration ${index + 1}`);
});

In this example, the _.times() method is used to iterate 3 times, with the iteratee function logging each iteration to the console.

🏆 Best Practices

When working with the _.times() method, consider the following best practices:

Handle Edge Cases:

Consider edge cases, such as when the number of times to iterate is 0 or negative. Implement appropriate error handling or default behaviors to address these scenarios.
example.js
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```
const numTimes = -1;

if(numTimes <= 0) {
  console.error('Invalid number of times to iterate');
} else {
  _.times(numTimes, () => {
    // Execute code for each iteration
  });
}
```
Utilize Index Parameter:

Leverage the index parameter provided to the iteratee function to customize behavior based on the current iteration. This allows for dynamic processing and manipulation during each iteration.
example.js
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```
_.times(5, index => {
  console.log(`Processing item ${index}`);
  // Execute code based on the current index
});
```
Encapsulate Complex Logic:

When dealing with complex logic within the iteratee function, consider encapsulating it into separate functions for improved readability and maintainability.
example.js
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```
const processItem = index => {
  // Complex processing logic
  console.log(`Processing item ${index}`);
};

_.times(5, processItem);
```

📚 Use Cases

Generating Sequential IDs:

_.times() can be used to generate sequential IDs for a specified number of items, facilitating data management and identification.
example.js
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```
const items = [];

_.times(10, index => {
  items.push({
    id: index + 1,
    name: `Item ${index + 1}`
  });
});

console.log(items);
```

Batch Processing:

For tasks involving batch processing, such as making API requests in batches, _.times() can streamline the execution of repetitive tasks.

example.js

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const batchSize = 10;

_.times(3, batchIndex => {
  const startIndex = batchIndex * batchSize;
  const batchItems = /* ...fetch batch data based on startIndex and batchSize... */ ;
  // Process batch items
  console.log(`Processing batch ${batchIndex + 1}:`, batchItems);
});

Dynamic Content Rendering:

In web development, _.times() can aid in dynamically rendering content based on a specified number of iterations, such as generating a list of items or rendering components.

example.js

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const numItems = 5;

_.times(numItems, index => {
  const listItem = document.createElement('li');
  listItem.textContent = `Item ${index + 1}`;
  document.getElementById('list-container').appendChild(listItem);
});

🎉 Conclusion

The _.times() method in Lodash offers a convenient and efficient solution for executing code repeatedly for a specified number of times. Whether you're generating sequential IDs, processing data in batches, or dynamically rendering content, _.times() provides a versatile tool for handling repetitive tasks in JavaScript.

By adhering to best practices and exploring diverse use cases, you can harness the full potential of the _.times() method in your Lodash projects.