Javascript - Generating all combinations of elements in a single array (in pairs)

Question

I\'ve seen several similar questions about how to generate all possible combinations of elements in an array. But I\'m having a very hard time figuring out how to write an a

Answer 1

I ended up writing a general solution to this problem, which is functionally equivalent to nhnghia's answer, but I'm sharing it here as I think it's easier to read/follow and is also full of comments describing the algorithm.

/**
 * Generate all combinations of an array.
 * @param {Array} sourceArray - Array of input elements.
 * @param {number} comboLength - Desired length of combinations.
 * @return {Array} Array of combination arrays.
 */
function generateCombinations(sourceArray, comboLength) {
  const sourceLength = sourceArray.length;
  if (comboLength > sourceLength) return [];

  const combos = []; // Stores valid combinations as they are generated.

  // Accepts a partial combination, an index into sourceArray, 
  // and the number of elements required to be added to create a full-length combination.
  // Called recursively to build combinations, adding subsequent elements at each call depth.
  const makeNextCombos = (workingCombo, currentIndex, remainingCount) => {
    const oneAwayFromComboLength = remainingCount == 1;

    // For each element that remaines to be added to the working combination.
    for (let sourceIndex = currentIndex; sourceIndex < sourceLength; sourceIndex++) {
      // Get next (possibly partial) combination.
      const next = [ ...workingCombo, sourceArray[sourceIndex] ];

      if (oneAwayFromComboLength) {
        // Combo of right length found, save it.
        combos.push(next);
      }
      else {
        // Otherwise go deeper to add more elements to the current partial combination.
        makeNextCombos(next, sourceIndex + 1, remainingCount - 1);
      }
        }
  }

  makeNextCombos([], 0, comboLength);
  return combos;
}