javascriptdata-structurescircular-buffer

Circular buffer in JavaScript


Has anyone already implemented a circular buffer in JavaScript? How would you do that without having pointers?


Solution

  • Strange co-incidence, I just wrote one earlier today! I don't know what exactly your requirements are but this might be of use.

    It presents an interface like an Array of unlimited length, but ‘forgets’ old items:

    // Circular buffer storage. Externally-apparent 'length' increases indefinitely
    // while any items with indexes below length-n will be forgotten (undefined
    // will be returned if you try to get them, trying to set is an exception).
    // n represents the initial length of the array, not a maximum
    function CircularBuffer(n) {
        this._array= new Array(n);
        this.length= 0;
    }
    CircularBuffer.prototype.toString= function() {
        return '[object CircularBuffer('+this._array.length+') length '+this.length+']';
    };
    CircularBuffer.prototype.get= function(i) {
        if (i<0 || i<this.length-this._array.length)
            return undefined;
        return this._array[i%this._array.length];
    };
    CircularBuffer.prototype.set= function(i, v) {
        if (i<0 || i<this.length-this._array.length)
            throw CircularBuffer.IndexError;
        while (i>this.length) {
            this._array[this.length%this._array.length]= undefined;
            this.length++;
        }
        this._array[i%this._array.length]= v;
        if (i==this.length)
            this.length++;
    };
    CircularBuffer.IndexError= {};