Concatenate multiple arrays

[Cravin]

Good afternoon,

I've been searching around a bit on the forums and messing with _ArrayConcatenate to try and figure out the best way to combine upwards of (10) one dimensional arrays and then return that array uniquely (excluding all duplicates).

So, taking from the helpfile for _ArrayConcatenate, I've come to this point which gives me the end result I'm looking for, but the question is, is there a better way?  Please advise!

Note:  My array names will be more unique than simply using $avArray - $avArray4

#include <Array.au3>

Local $avArray[3] = ["1", "2", "3"]
Local $avArray1[3] = ["3", "4", "5"]
Local $avArray2[3] = ["5", "6", "7"]
Local $avArray3[3] = ["7", "8", "9"]
Local $avArray4[3] = ["8", "9", "10"]

_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArrayTarget BEFORE _ArrayConcatenate()")
_ArrayConcatenate($avArray, $avArray1, 1)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArrayTarget AFTER _ArrayConcatenate()")
_ArrayConcatenate($avArray, $avArray2, 1)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArrayTarget AFTER _ArrayConcatenate()")
_ArrayConcatenate($avArray, $avArray3, 1)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArrayTarget AFTER _ArrayConcatenate()")
_ArrayConcatenate($avArray, $avArray4, 1)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArrayTarget AFTER _ArrayConcatenate()")
$avArray = _ArrayUnique($avArray)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArrayTarget AFTER _ArrayConcatenate() and UNIQUE")

Edited September 2, 2013 by Cravin

[Danyfirex]

I think that is the best way.

[guinness]

Well it's less convoluted.

[Cravin]

Okay, thanks for the input.  In the end it does get me what I need, was just looking to see if there were other options to improve speed/performance.

[czardas]

For so few arrays, as in your example, using _ArrayConcatenate() makes little difference. However if you intend to concatenate hundreds of small arrays (perhaps within a repeated process), then you should not use _ArrayConcatenate(). It would be much faster to only use Redim once. After this you will need to loop through each array declaring the elements as you go. This can save a significantly noticable amount of time.

Edited September 2, 2013 by czardas

[Cravin]

For so few arrays, as in your example, using _ArrayConcatenate() makes little difference. However if you intend to concatenate hundreds of small arrays (perhaps within a repeated process), then you should not use _ArrayConcatenate(). It would be much faster to only use Redim once. After this you will need to loop through each array declaring the elements as you go. This can save a significantly noticable amount of time.

 

For my purposes, there will be no more than 10 arrays to combine, but each of those could potentially contain 50k+ elements.

[Danyfirex]

I think _ArrayConcatenate() is you need. I have concatenated 5 array each one with 100000 elements an took about 5 seconds.

saludos

[BrewManNH]

_ArrayConcatenate only does one ReDim, and then just loops through the source array. It's very simple in operation, and I can't think of an easier way to do this. Unless you're dealing with 2D arrays which it doesn't work with.

[czardas]

_ArrayConcatenate only does one ReDim, and then just loops through the source array.

 

_ArrayConcatenate only concatenates two arrays, not more. It will do one Redim for each concatenation. If you put multiple concatenations in a loop, then it becomes a problem.

For my purposes, there will be no more than 10 arrays to combine, but each of those could potentially contain 50k+ elements.

 

I would stick to the method you are using.

Edited September 3, 2013 by czardas