How to return an array within a function

Question

"Around line 17, create a function named 'arrayCounter' that takes in a parameter which is an array. The function must return the length of an array passed in or 0 if a 'string', 'number' or 'undefined' value is passed in."

I am on Stage 5 of the Java Basics course. They are asking to return an array in a function. I cannot figure out how to get it done. Here is what I have:

function arrayCounter (a) { if (typeof a === 'undefined', 'string', 'number') { return 0; } else { return a; };

Please help. These challenges are really starting to frustrate me...they give really confusing instructions then do not tell you what you are doing wrong when you cannot figure it out. And I feel like I shouldn't have to 'Ask a Question' every time I cannot figure something out...

Thanks

Answer 1 · 2014-08-29T11:25:59Z

August 29, 2014 11:25am

The way you are thinking is correct but the syntax is wrong.

function arrayCounter(a){
        if(typeof a === "string" || typeof a === "number" || typeof a === "undefined"){
        return 0;
        }
        else{ 
          return a.length;
        }
      }

Remember to use length method on the else

Answer 2 · 2014-08-29T08:29:22Z

August 29, 2014 8:29am

Hi Hunter,

There are plenty of other threads on the forum about this and they have a lot of information especially about this topic.

https://teamtreehouse.com/forum/code-challenge:317

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Hunter Berge

Hunter Berge

How to return an array within a function

2 Answers

Hugo Paz

Hugo Paz

Chris Shaw

Chris Shaw