Sum Similar Keys In An Array Of Objects

Summing similar keys in an array of objects can be a common task when working with data in your code. This process can help streamline your operations and make it easier to analyze and manage your data effectively. In this article, we will explore how you can sum up values of similar keys in an array of objects using JavaScript. Let's dive in!

Let's start by setting up our scenario. Imagine you have an array of objects where each object represents a data entry, and they all share the same keys. For this example, let's say we have an array called 'data' with objects that have 'key1' and 'key2' as properties:

const data = [
    {key1: 10, key2: 20},
    {key1: 5, key2: 15},
    {key1: 8, key2: 12}
];

Now, our goal is to sum up the values of 'key1' and 'key2' across all objects in the array. This can be achieved by iterating over the array and keeping track of the sums for each key. Here's how you can do it:

const result = data.reduce((acc, obj) => {
    Object.keys(obj).forEach(key => {
        acc[key] = (acc[key] || 0) + obj[key];
    });
    return acc;
}, {});

console.log(result);

In this code snippet, we use the `reduce` method on the `data` array to iterate over each object. Within the `reduce` callback function, we use `Object.keys(obj)` to get all the keys of the current object and then iterate over them using `forEach`. We update the accumulator `acc` by summing up the values of each key across all objects.

Finally, we log the `result` object to see the summed values of 'key1' and 'key2'. Running this code will output:

{ key1: 23, key2: 47 }

You can easily extend this solution to sum up values for more keys by adding them to your objects and updating the code to accommodate those keys. This method provides a flexible and efficient way to sum similar keys in an array of objects dynamically.

In summary, summing similar keys in an array of objects in JavaScript involves iterating over the array, accessing each object's keys, and accumulating the values. By following the approach outlined in this article, you can easily perform this operation in your projects. Happy coding!