Summarise array (optionally on item property) into human readable string

summarise.coffee

Array::summarise = (args) ->
  count = args?.maximumItems or 3
  if typeof args?.property == 'string'
    temp = []
    [temp.push item[args.property] for item in this]
  else
    temp = this[...]
  if temp.length > 1 and temp.length <= count
    return temp[...-1].join(', ') + ' and ' + temp[-1...]
  else if temp.length == 1
    return temp[0]
  else if temp.length > count
    return temp[...(count-1)].join(', ') + ' and ' + temp[(count-1)...].length + ' others'
  else
    return

a = Array('stephen', 'jay', 'peter', 'toby', 'olly')
console.log(a.summarise())
console.log(a.summarise({maximumItems: 5}))
console.log(a.summarise({maximumItems: 4}))
console.log('')

b = Array('stephen')
console.log(b.summarise())
console.log('')

c = Array('stephen', 'jay')
console.log(c.summarise())
console.log('')

d = Array('stephen', 'jay', 'peter')
console.log(d.summarise())
console.log('')

e = [
  {name: 'Stephen'}
  {name: 'Jay'}
  {name: 'Peter'}
  {name: 'Toby'}
  {name: 'Olly'}
]
console.log e.summarise
  maximumItems: 3
  property: 'name'