window()
window<
T>(array,size):T[][]
Creates a sliding window array of consecutive elements.
Returns an array of overlapping subarrays of the specified size, each shifted by one element from the previous.
💎 Why is this a Hidden Gem?
Creates sliding windows over arrays. Instead of writing error-prone for loops with array[i] and array[i+1], get clean tuples like [[1,2,3], [2,3,4], [3,4,5]]. Perfect for moving averages, trend detection, and comparing consecutive elements.
Type Parameters
T: T
The type of elements in the array.
Parameters
array: readonly T[]
The source array to process.
size: number
The size of each window (must be a positive integer).
Returns: T[][]
An array of subarrays, each containing size consecutive elements.
Throws
RangeError When size is not a positive integer.
Since
2.0.0
Performance
O(n×m) time & space, pre-allocated array, early return when size > length.
Also known as
aperture (Ramda) · sliding (Effect) · window (es-toolkit) · ❌ (Lodash, Remeda, Radashi, Modern Dash, Antfu)
Example
window([1, 2, 3, 4, 5], 3);
// => [[1, 2, 3], [2, 3, 4], [3, 4, 5]]
How it works?
Window creates overlapping subarrays by sliding one element at a time.
Unlike chunk which splits without overlap, window preserves continuity between groups.
Window vs Chunk
| Operation | Overlap | Output for [1,2,3,4,5] size 3 |
|---|---|---|
window(arr, 3) | Yes | [[1,2,3], [2,3,4], [3,4,5]] |
chunk(arr, 3) | No | [[1,2,3], [4,5]] |
Use Cases
Detecting changes between consecutive values 📌
Compare adjacent elements to identify transitions, changes, or deltas in sequences. Perfect for tracking state changes, price movements, or any sequential comparisons.
const temperatures = [18, 19, 22, 21, 25, 24];
const changes = window(temperatures, 2).map(([prev, curr]) => curr - prev);
// => [1, 3, -1, 4, -1]
const biggestJump = Math.max(...changes);
// => 4 (between 21 and 25)
Pairwise operations on sequences
Process elements in pairs for comparisons, validations, or transformations. Essential for route calculations, interval analysis, or sequential validations.
const waypoints = ["Paris", "Lyon", "Marseille", "Nice"];
const legs = window(waypoints, 2);
// => [["Paris", "Lyon"], ["Lyon", "Marseille"], ["Marseille", "Nice"]]
const routes = legs.map(([from, to]) => `${from} → ${to}`);
// => ["Paris → Lyon", "Lyon → Marseille", "Marseille → Nice"]
Moving averages for data smoothing
Calculate rolling averages to smooth out fluctuations and reveal underlying trends. Essential for financial analysis, sensor data processing, and performance monitoring.
const stockPrices = [100, 102, 98, 105, 110, 108];
const movingAvg = window(stockPrices, 3).map(
(w) => w.reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0) / w.length
);
// => [100, 101.67, 104.33, 107.67]