How to choose a weighted random array element in Javascript?

Question

For example: There are four items in an array. I want to get one randomly, like this:

array items = [
    "bike"    //40% chance to select
    "car"     //30% chance to select
    "boat"    //15% chance to select
    "train"   //10% chance to select
    "plane"   //5%  chance to select
]

Answer 1

Both answers above rely on methods that will get slow quickly, especially the accepted one.

function weighted_random(items, weights) {
    var i;

    for (i = 0; i < weights.length; i++)
        weights[i] += weights[i - 1] || 0;
    
    var random = Math.random() * weights[weights.length - 1];
    
    for (i = 0; i < weights.length; i++)
        if (weights[i] > random)
            break;
    
    return items[i];
}

I replaced my older ES6 solution with this one as of December 2020, as ES6 isn't supported in older browsers, and I personally think this one is more readable.

If you'd rather use objects with the properties item and weight:

function weighted_random(options) {
    var i;

    var weights = [];

    for (i = 0; i < options.length; i++)
        weights[i] = options[i].weight + (weights[i - 1] || 0);
    
    var random = Math.random() * weights[weights.length - 1];
    
    for (i = 0; i < weights.length; i++)
        if (weights[i] > random)
            break;
    
    return options[i].item;
}