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JavaScript JavaScript Loops, Arrays and Objects Tracking Data Using Objects The Student Record Search Challenge Solution

Posted by Christopher Judas
Christopher Judas
5,499 Points

How can I stop this from printing 'Student Not Found' for each iteration of [i] where student.name != search?

I think I understand why the if...else statements in the for loop are causing the problem, but nothing I've tried seems to fix it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I really just want it to print "Student Not Found" once if the name isn't in the students.js file.

link to source

var message = '';
var student;
var search;

function print(message) {
 outputDiv = document.getElementById('output');
 outputDiv.innerHTML += message;
}

function getStudentReport(student) {
  var report = '<h2>Student: ' + student.name + '</h2>';
  report += '<p>Track: ' + student.track + '</p>';
  report += '<p>Points: ' + student.points + '</p>';
  report += '<p>Achievements: ' + student.achievements + '</p>';
  return report;
}

while (true) {
  search = prompt("Search student records: type a name [Jody], or type 'quit' to end.");
  document.getElementById('output').innerHTML = "";
  if (search === null || search.toLowerCase() === 'quit') { break;}
  for (var i=0; i<students.length; i++) {
    student = students[i];
    if (student.name.toLowerCase() === search.toLowerCase()) {
      message = getStudentReport(student);
      print(message);
    } else {
        print('Student Not Found');
    }
  }
}
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
216,149 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
216,149 Points

The "link to source" was a good idea, but...

:x: You can't share a direct URL to your workspace, it's temporary and only exists while you are using it.

:information_source: But you can use the snapshot function in the workspace and provide the link to that.

Christopher Judas
Christopher Judas
5,499 Points

Thanks Steven Parker, I made that change - it should work correctly now.

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
216,149 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
216,149 Points

:point_right: You need to print your message after the loop, not inside it.

You can set a boolean in the loop if you find anything, and test it to see if the message should be used at all:

  var notfound = true;    // assume none will be found
  for (var i=0; i<students.length; i++) {
    student = students[i];
    if (student.name.toLowerCase() === search.toLowerCase()) {
      message = getStudentReport(student);
      print(message);
      notfound = false;   // remember we found at least one
    }
  }
  if (notfound) {
    print('Student Not Found');
  }
Christopher Judas
Christopher Judas
5,499 Points

Aha! Thanks again!