freeCodeCamp/curriculum/challenges/english/08-coding-interview-prep/algorithms/inventory-update.english.md

---
id: a56138aff60341a09ed6c480
title: Inventory Update
challengeType: 5
---

## Description
<section id='description'>
Compare and update the inventory stored in a 2D array against a second 2D array of a fresh delivery. Update the current existing inventory item quantities (in <code>arr1</code>). If an item cannot be found, add the new item and quantity into the inventory array. The returned inventory array should be in alphabetical order by item.
Remember to use <a href='http://forum.freecodecamp.org/t/how-to-get-help-when-you-are-stuck/19514' target='_blank'>Read-Search-Ask</a> if you get stuck. Try to pair program. Write your own code.
</section>

## Instructions
<section id='instructions'>

</section>

## Tests
<section id='tests'>

```yml
tests:
  - text: The function <code>updateInventory</code> should return an array.
    testString: assert.isArray(updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]), 'The function <code>updateInventory</code> should return an array.');
  - text: <code>updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return an array with a length of 6.
    testString: assert.equal(updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]).length, 6, '<code>updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return an array with a length of 6.');
  - text: <code>updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return <code>[[88, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [3, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [5, "Microphone"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]</code>.
    testString: assert.deepEqual(updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]), [[88, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [3, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [5, "Microphone"], [7, "Toothpaste"]], '<code>updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return <code>[[88, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [3, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [5, "Microphone"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]</code>.');
  - text: <code>updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [])</code> should return <code>[[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]]</code>.
    testString: assert.deepEqual(updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], []), [[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], '<code>updateInventory([[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]], [])</code> should return <code>[[21, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [5, "Microphone"]]</code>.');
  - text: <code>updateInventory([], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return <code>[[67, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]</code>.
    testString: assert.deepEqual(updateInventory([], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]), [[67, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [7, "Toothpaste"]], '<code>updateInventory([], [[2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [67, "Bowling Ball"], [7, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return <code>[[67, "Bowling Ball"], [2, "Hair Pin"], [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [7, "Toothpaste"]]</code>.');
  - text: <code>updateInventory([[0, "Bowling Ball"], [0, "Dirty Sock"], [0, "Hair Pin"], [0, "Microphone"]], [[1, "Hair Pin"], [1, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [1, "Bowling Ball"], [1, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return <code>[[1, "Bowling Ball"], [0, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [1, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [0, "Microphone"], [1, "Toothpaste"]]</code>.
    testString: assert.deepEqual(updateInventory([[0, "Bowling Ball"], [0, "Dirty Sock"], [0, "Hair Pin"], [0, "Microphone"]], [[1, "Hair Pin"], [1, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [1, "Bowling Ball"], [1, "Toothpaste"]]), [[1, "Bowling Ball"], [0, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [1, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [0, "Microphone"], [1, "Toothpaste"]], '<code>updateInventory([[0, "Bowling Ball"], [0, "Dirty Sock"], [0, "Hair Pin"], [0, "Microphone"]], [[1, "Hair Pin"], [1, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [1, "Bowling Ball"], [1, "Toothpaste"]])</code> should return <code>[[1, "Bowling Ball"], [0, "Dirty Sock"], [1, "Hair Pin"], [1, "Half-Eaten Apple"], [0, "Microphone"], [1, "Toothpaste"]]</code>.');

```

</section>

## Challenge Seed
<section id='challengeSeed'>

<div id='js-seed'>

```js
function updateInventory(arr1, arr2) {
    // All inventory must be accounted for or you're fired!
    return arr1;
}

// Example inventory lists
var curInv = [
    [21, "Bowling Ball"],
    [2, "Dirty Sock"],
    [1, "Hair Pin"],
    [5, "Microphone"]
];

var newInv = [
    [2, "Hair Pin"],
    [3, "Half-Eaten Apple"],
    [67, "Bowling Ball"],
    [7, "Toothpaste"]
];

updateInventory(curInv, newInv);
```

</div>



</section>

## Solution
<section id='solution'>


```js
function updateInventory(arr1, arr2) {
  arr2.forEach(function(item) {
    createOrUpdate(arr1, item);
  });
  // All inventory must be accounted for or you're fired!
  return arr1;
}

function createOrUpdate(arr1, item) {
  var index = -1;
  while (++index < arr1.length) {
    if (arr1[index][1] === item[1]) {
      arr1[index][0] += item[0];
      return;
    }
    if (arr1[index][1] > item[1]) {
      break;
    }
  }
  arr1.splice(index, 0, item);
}

// Example inventory lists
var curInv = [
    [21, 'Bowling Ball'],
    [2, 'Dirty Sock'],
    [1, 'Hair Pin'],
    [5, 'Microphone']
];

var newInv = [
    [2, 'Hair Pin'],
    [3, 'Half-Eaten Apple'],
    [67, 'Bowling Ball'],
    [7, 'Toothpaste']
];

updateInventory(curInv, newInv);

```

</section>