Get the smallest array from an array of arrays

Question

I have an array of arrays, I want to get the smallest (shortest) path from paths array

paths = [ 
   ["LEFT", "RIGHT", "RIGHT", "BOTTOM", "TOP"],
   ["RIGHT", "LEFT", "TOP"],
   ["TOP", "LEFT"]
];

paths.map((path)=> Math.min(path.length));

Answer 1

Use Array#reduce method.

var paths = [
  ["LEFT", "RIGHT", "RIGHT", "BOTTOM", "TOP"],
  ["RIGHT", "LEFT", "TOP"],
  ["TOP", "LEFT"]
];

console.log(paths.reduce((prev, next) => prev.length > next.length ? next : prev))

Answer 2

You can use the Array sort method and compare the length of each array. This seems the most straightforward way to me.

let paths = [
  ["LEFT", "RIGHT", "RIGHT", "BOTTOM", "TOP"],
  ["RIGHT", "LEFT", "TOP"],
  ["TOP", "LEFT"]
];
const [shortestPath] = paths .sort((a,b) => a.length - b.length);
console.log(shortestPath);