why is the for loop not running?

Question

I'm supposed to create a function that will continue to double the first argument until it is greater than or equal to the 2nd argument. Every time it doubles, I add 20 to a counter.

However, for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to be adding 20 to the counter as it always returns 0 and does not print the console.log I included for each loop, which makes me think it's not running the loop.

Why isn't it running the loop and what am I doing wrong?

function bacteriaTime(currentNum, targetNum) {
  let counter = 0
  for (let i = currentNum; i >= targetNum; i *= 2) {
    counter += 20;
    console.log('bacteria count is ' + i + ' and ' + counter + ' have passed.')
  }
  return counter;
  console.log(counter);
}

How are you calling it? Anything after return counter will be ignored because... you've returned. — Dave Newton
– Dave Newton, Commented Jun 13, 2019 at 21:43
currentNum starts as less than targetNum correct? The condition is backwards then. You want to check for it being less than targetNum. — Carcigenicate
– Carcigenicate, Commented Jun 13, 2019 at 21:43
I'd recommend (strongly) that you work through it with a pencil and paper using small numbers as your inputs. "Play computer" and figure out what's actually happening by processing every step. For example, currentNum as 0, targetNum as, say, 3. — Dave Newton
– Dave Newton, Commented Jun 13, 2019 at 21:44
@TabbieC developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/… Nothing particularly vague there. — Dave Newton
– Dave Newton, Commented Jun 14, 2019 at 12:06

bedranfleck · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-13 21:46:08Z

1

You might wanna check if your condition wasn't already met, and therefore, the code has returned. Also your condition is backwards. It should be: for (let i = currentNum; i <= targetNum; i *= 2) {

answered Jun 13, 2019 at 21:46

bedranfleck

1652 silver badges8 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Derek C. · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-14 01:45:41Z

0

Seems like you've mixed up your comparison. In your for loop you had i >= targetNum which with your inputs would almost always be false. Simply switch the operator to <= as below and you should be good. This will mean i is less than targetNum.

function bacteriaTime (currentNum,targetNum){
    let counter = 0
    for (let i = currentNum; i <= targetNum; i *= 2){
        counter += 20;
        console.log ('bacteria count is ' + i + ' and ' + counter+ ' have passed.')
        }
    console.log(counter);
    return counter;
}

Hope that works. It was probably just a simple mix up.

edited Jun 14, 2019 at 1:45

answered Jun 13, 2019 at 21:49

Derek C.

1,02611 silver badges24 bronze badges

3 Comments

Intervalia Over a year ago

console.log is still after the return.

Tabbie C Over a year ago

-_-; yup it was the >= vs <=. Still getting used to that. Thanks.

Derek C. Over a year ago

@TabbieC No problem we have all been there. I will note as Intervalia you will need to move the second console.log to before the return otherwise it won't print. I have updated my response for that. Mark this as the answer so that everyone knows this is solved. :)

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

why is the for loop not running?

2 Answers 2

Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related