Scala algorithm: Find combinations adding up to N (unique)
Published
Algorithm goal
Find combinations of an array that sum up to N, where numbers are unique. Support large inputs. For the non-unique version, see FindCombinationsAddingUpTo.
Test cases in Scala
Algorithm in Scala
8 lines of Scala (compatible versions 2.13 & 3.0), showing how concise Scala can be!
Explanation
The Scala solution is quite elegant and expressive as well as stack-safe due to the fact that there is no recursion (many languages have a solution but the solution is often using recursion).
Scala provides a 'combinations' method on Array, given a selection length; then the only thing we need to vary is the selection length, which we can produce using a Lazy List. Then, using a for-comprehension and a guard we check if the target of what we are looking for is met, and return that combination if it is. (this is © from www.scala-algorithms.com)
Scala concepts & Hints
For-comprehension
The for-comprehension is highly important syntatic enhancement in functional programming languages.
Lazy List
The 'LazyList' type (previously known as 'Stream' in Scala) is used to describe a potentially infinite list that evaluates only when necessary ('lazily').