How to properly manipulate a funtions' arguments

[RadarBob]

The Problem to be solved
I want to call a function passing a set of parameters. Using the first parameter (argument[0] if you will) I check for a value-match; if there is a match I want to recursively call this function, dropping that first parameter while passing the rest. Continue recursive calls (dropping arguements[0] for the subsequent call) as long there are parameters and long as I'm matching that first parameter.

What I think I know
arguments is an object-type. It's not an Array, though it does have a length attribute. You cannot use Array methods directly on an arguments object.

Why I'm scratching my head
I'm not seeing a clean way to split the argument list. I don't seem to be doing it right.

Or maybe the second, and subsequent, calls I'm not passing a comma delimited list in the call, rather a single parameter that is an Array.

Or maybe I need to use the "callee" attribute somehow for recursive calls.

I hesitate to show any code because it just seems like mush at this point.

Maybe This is the way to do it?[list=1][*]Save each argument value in an Array[*]Build a string from the array, leaving out the first element of the array[*]The string will be a comma-delimited list of parameter values[*]But now I'm passing a string, not a list of values per se?? [*]Seems like a Catch-22![/list=1]

[Vladdy]

Maybe it is worth taking a step back and looking at THE PROBLEM you are trying to solve by the method you desribed...

[RadarBob]

I hear what UR saying there V-guy...

I have thought about it and my vision is a simple function call to find a node in a tree.

For example I want to be able to say

bobsCarLot.getNode ('Chevy', 'Nova');

You can imagine a tree structure where the root's (bobsCarLot in this case) children are car makes, "makes" children are car models, "models" children are whatever...

You can see where a function such as this has utility for any tree-o-data where the logical structure (and values therein) are known.

Further the getNode() method can be called for/from any given Node and the search begins there.

Therefore I need to handle an indetermine number of parameters in the call. Additionally a recursive call seems to be the natrual way to handle traversing through an indeterminate number of tree branches.

[Willy Duitt]

Re: How to properly manipulate a funtions' arguments

Originally posted by RadarBob
[*]The string will be a comma-delimited list of parameter values[*]But now I'm passing a string, not a list of values per se??

Am I missing something?
Why can't you take the comma delimitted string and turn it back into an array?

eg:

<script>
   var myArr = ('a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o,p,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,x,y,z');
   var alpha = myArr.split(',');
   alert(alpha[3]);
</script>

.....Willy

[Vladdy]

If all your arguments are strings why don't you combine them into one with some kind of separator:
getNode('Chevy#Nova#1990')
then split them into array which you can work with
function getNode(argStr)
{ arguments = argStr.split('#');

Use slice to remove members
then bring them all into a string before making a recursive call...

[Garadon]

on example of recursive call until only 1 argument left weeding out the 1 argument each time. NOTE:this technique makes return unuseable

//Made by: Garadon :)(please delete this line)
function wacky()
{
 
 alert(arguments.length)
 if(arguments.length>1)
 {
   var str="";
   for(i=1;i<arguments.length;i++)
   {
      str=str+arguments[i];
      if(i!=arguments.length-1)
  	  {
       str=str+',';
	    }
    }
  	setTimeout('wacky('+str+');',0);
	}
}
wacky(1,1,1,1,1,1);

[Vladdy]

Willy, great minds think alike
Note to self: learn to type faster.....

[Willy Duitt]

This is a little O/T but I just learned something.
I was not aware that you can pass an arguement to the split method.

This alerts the first six characters:

<script>
   var myArr =  ('a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o,p,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,x,y,z');
   var alpha = myArr.split(',');
   alert(myArr.split(',',6));
</script>

.....Willy