One Wizard to Rule Them All: The Magic of Array.prototype.some()
Tags: javascript, tutorial, frontend, programming
Published: 2023-03-23 15:31:38

Hey there, code sorcerers! 🧙‍♂️ Are you ready for a spellbinding adventure in the enchanted realm of JavaScript? Today, we're going to explore the mystical world of **`Array.prototype.some()`**, a method that can reveal the hidden secrets of your arrays with a mere flick of your wand. 🪄

Join me on this magical journey, and let's unravel the arcane mysteries of this spellbinding method that'll help you find that *one special item* in your array! 🧙‍♂️✨

<img width="100%" style="width:100%" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/l2JdYC50XX3RDjyZW/giphy.gif">

## **A sample array**

Suppose we've got an array of **`wizards`**. Each item is an object with a **`name`**, **`spells`**, and **`tool`** property. It's like a magical version of Pokémon! 🧙‍♂️✨

```jsx

let wizards = [
	{
		name: 'Radagast',
		spells: ['Talk to animals', 'Grow plants'],
		tool: 'staff'
	},
	{
		name: 'Merlin',
		spells: ['Dancing teacups', 'Turn into fish'],
		tool: 'wand'
	},
	{
		name: 'Gandalf',
		spells: ['You shall not pass', 'Disappear'],
		tool: 'staff'
}
];

```

## The `Array.prototype.some()` method

The ``Array.prototype.some()`` method is like that one friend who's satisfied as long as there's *one* slice of pizza left at the party 🍕. It accepts a callback function as an argument and will return ``true`` if *at least one item* in the array meets the criteria.

<img width="100%" style="width:100%" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/9fuvOqZ8tbZOU/giphy.gif">

```jsx

wizards.some(function (wizard, index, arr) {
	// do magical stuff...
});

```

Inside the callback function, you can test each item in the array and **`return`** a boolean value (true or false). If *at least one item* returns **`true`**, the **`Array.prototype.some()`** method returns **`true`**. Otherwise, it returns **`false`**.

Let's look at some examples to show the difference between **`Array.prototype.every()`** and **`Array.prototype.some()`**.

## **Example 1: check if at least one wizard uses a staff**

Imagine we wanna check if at least one wizard in the array uses a staff as their **`tool`**. It's like a magical game of "Where's Waldo?" 🧙‍♂️

<img width="100%" style="width:100%" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6Mb8byjqPisAdIsM/giphy.gif">

```jsx

// returns true
// (Both Radagast and Gandalf use staffs)
let hasStaff = wizards.some(function (wizard) {
	return wizard.tool === 'staff';
});

```

## **Example 2: check if at least one wizard has at least one spell**

We could also use the **`Array.prototype.some()`** method to check if any wizard in the array has at least one spell. After all, what's a wizard without their spells? 🧙‍♂️💫

```jsx

// returns true
let hasSpells = wizards.some(function (wizard) {
	return wizard.spells.length > 0;
});

```

## **A more complex example: checking for a spell**

Let's imagine we want to make sure at least one wizard in our array can cast the spell "You shall not pass". Maybe we're planning a surprise party for Balrog, and we need someone to keep him out? 🧙‍♂️🎉

Inside the callback function, we could use the **`Array.prototype.includes()`** method on the **`spells`** array to look for our spell.

```jsx

// returns true
let doNotPass = wizards.some(function (wizard) {
	return wizard.spells.includes('You shall not pass');
});

```

And there you have it, folks! The **`Array.prototype.some()`** method is like our magical MVP, making sure *at least one* item in our array is up to snuff. So the next time you're on a wizard hunt, remember this spell! 🧙‍♂️🔮

<img width="100%" style="width:100%" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/GVMhZwYv8U5NK/giphy.gif">