# Removing items from Arrays

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225>\
**Category:** flash\
**Created:** [April 3, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225 "2006-04-03T14:19:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ukko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e68b1a/32.png) [@ukko](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/ukko)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/1 "2006-04-03T14:19:31Z")

</div>

I have created a simple array that attaches the mc 0 to 23 from the library randomly and used Array.splice(); to remove an element from the array once it has been displayed to the stage but it doesn’t work.

I think the problem is in my **for** and **splice** methods

but I dont know what it is, something simple Im sure.

for (i = 0 ; i \<= picArray.length; i++)

picArray.splice(this.picArray[rndNum]);

can someone help me please

Ⓜ

```auto

var picArray:Array = new Array();
picArray[0] = "bottle";
picArray[1] = "bucket";
picArray[2] = "carrierbag";
picArray[3] = "chair";
picArray[4] = "coat";
picArray[5] = "cushion";
picArray[6] = "envelope";
picArray[7] = "fork";
picArray[8] = "hat";
picArray[9] = "jug";
picArray[10] = "key";
picArray[11] = "kitchenroll"; 
picArray[12] = "lunchbox";
picArray[13] = "mirror";
picArray[14] = "newspaper";
picArray[15] = "pan";
picArray[16] = "phonebook";
picArray[17] = "pictureframe"; 
picArray[18] = "spoon";
picArray[19] = "toyboat";
picArray[20] = "toydoll";
picArray[21] = "trophy";
picArray[22] = "trouser";
picArray[23] = "vase";

for (i = 0 ; i <= picArray.length; i++)
{
     rndNum = Math.floor(Math.random(23) * picArray.length);
     this.blank.attachMovie(this.picArray[rndNum], pic1, 0);
     trace(i + " : " + rndNum + " : " + picArray[rndNum]);
    
     i = 0;
     picArray.splice(this.picArray[rndNum]);
     

}
stop();

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stringy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@stringy](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/stringy)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/2 "2006-04-03T16:29:39Z")

</div>

> [@ukko](#):
>
> I have created a simple array that attaches the mc 0 to 23 from the library randomly and used Array.splice(); to remove an element from the array once it has been displayed to the stage but it doesn’t work.
> 
> I think the problem is in my **for** and **splice** methods
> 
> but I dont know what it is, something simple Im sure.
> 
> for (i = 0 ; i \<= picArray.length; i++)
> 
> picArray.splice(this.picArray[rndNum]);
> 
> can someone help me please
> 
> Ⓜ
> 
> ```auto
> 
> var picArray:Array = new Array();
> picArray[0] = "bottle";
> picArray[1] = "bucket";
> picArray[2] = "carrierbag";
> picArray[3] = "chair";
> picArray[4] = "coat";
> picArray[5] = "cushion";
> picArray[6] = "envelope";
> picArray[7] = "fork";
> picArray[8] = "hat";
> picArray[9] = "jug";
> picArray[10] = "key";
> picArray[11] = "kitchenroll"; 
> picArray[12] = "lunchbox";
> picArray[13] = "mirror";
> picArray[14] = "newspaper";
> picArray[15] = "pan";
> picArray[16] = "phonebook";
> picArray[17] = "pictureframe"; 
> picArray[18] = "spoon";
> picArray[19] = "toyboat";
> picArray[20] = "toydoll";
> picArray[21] = "trophy";
> picArray[22] = "trouser";
> picArray[23] = "vase";
> 
> for (i = 0 ; i <= picArray.length; i++)
> {
> rndNum = Math.floor(Math.random(23) * picArray.length);
> this.blank.attachMovie(this.picArray[rndNum], pic1, 0);
> trace(i + " : " + rndNum + " : " + picArray[rndNum]);
>     
> i = 0;
> picArray.splice(this.picArray[rndNum]);
>      
> 
> }
> stop();
> 
> ```

maybe like this?

```auto
var i =0
trace(picArray.length)
rndNum = Math.floor(Math.random()*picArray.length);
this.blank.attachMovie(picArray[rndNum], "pic"+i, i++);
picArray.splice(rndNum,1);
trace(picArray.length)

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lunatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/73ab20/32.png) [@lunatic](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/lunatic)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/3 "2006-04-03T17:17:48Z")

</div>

[ot]the new mod gets busy 😃 [/ot]

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ukko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e68b1a/32.png) [@ukko](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/ukko)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 9:58am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/4 "2006-04-04T09:58:32Z")

</div>

thanks for the help

no still not removing attached MC from array when displayed to screen.

:book:  
I can’t figure out what I am doing wrong.

trace

trace(picArray.length + " : " + rndNum + " : " + picArray[rndNum]);

output to code

i.e jug and bucket have been repeated

23 : 5 : envelope  
23 : 8 : jug  
23 : 8 : jug  
23 : 9 : key  
23 : 14 : pan  
23 : 20 : trophy  
23 : 0 : bucket  
23 : 17 : spoon  
23 : 2 : chair  
23 : 18 : toyboat  
23 : 19 : toydoll  
23 : 21 : trouser  
23 : 0 : bucket  
23 : 13 : newspaper  
23 : 19 : toydoll  
23 : 0 : bucket  
23 : 17 : spoon  
23 : 8 : jug  
23 : 11 : lunchbox  
23 : 16 : pictureframe  
23 : 9 : key  
23 : 15 : phonebook  
23 : 2 : chair  
23 : 9 : key

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stringy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@stringy](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/stringy)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/5 "2006-04-04T14:47:09Z")

</div>

> [@ukko](#):
>
> thanks for the help
> 
> no still not removing attached MC from array when displayed to screen.
> 
> :book:  
> I can’t figure out what I am doing wrong.
> 
> trace
> 
> trace(picArray.length + " : " + rndNum + " : " + picArray[rndNum]);
> 
> output to code
> 
> i.e jug and bucket have been repeated
> 
> 23 : 5 : envelope  
> 23 : 8 : jug  
> 23 : 8 : jug  
> 23 : 9 : key  
> 23 : 14 : pan  
> 23 : 20 : trophy  
> 23 : 0 : bucket  
> 23 : 17 : spoon  
> 23 : 2 : chair  
> 23 : 18 : toyboat  
> 23 : 19 : toydoll  
> 23 : 21 : trouser  
> 23 : 0 : bucket  
> 23 : 13 : newspaper  
> 23 : 19 : toydoll  
> 23 : 0 : bucket  
> 23 : 17 : spoon  
> 23 : 8 : jug  
> 23 : 11 : lunchbox  
> 23 : 16 : pictureframe  
> 23 : 9 : key  
> 23 : 15 : phonebook  
> 23 : 2 : chair  
> 23 : 9 : key

copy/paste this into a new movie and see what you get in the output window

```auto
var picArray:Array = new Array();
picArray[0] = "bottle";
picArray[1] = "bucket";
picArray[2] = "carrierbag";
picArray[3] = "chair";
picArray[4] = "coat";
picArray[5] = "cushion";
picArray[6] = "envelope";
picArray[7] = "fork";
picArray[8] = "hat";
picArray[9] = "jug";
picArray[10] = "key";
picArray[11] = "kitchenroll";
picArray[12] = "lunchbox";
picArray[13] = "mirror";
picArray[14] = "newspaper";
picArray[15] = "pan";
picArray[16] = "phonebook";
picArray[17] = "pictureframe";
picArray[18] = "spoon";
picArray[19] = "toyboat";
picArray[20] = "toydoll";
picArray[21] = "trophy";
picArray[22] = "trouser";
picArray[23] = "vase";
var i = 0;
trace(picArray.length);
mi = setInterval(function () {
	rndNum = Math.floor(Math.random()*picArray.length);
	//this.blank.attachMovie(picArray[rndNum], "pic"+i, i++);
	trace("picArray.length= "+picArray.length+" picArray[rndNum] = "+picArray[rndNum]);
	picArray.splice(rndNum, 1);
	if (picArray.length == 0) {
		clearInterval(mi);
	}
}, 1000);

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stringy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@stringy](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/stringy)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/6 "2006-04-04T15:02:21Z")

</div>

made a quick file with the attachMovie stuff

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ukko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e68b1a/32.png) [@ukko](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/ukko)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/7 "2006-04-04T15:21:47Z")

</div>

> [@stringy](#):
>
> copy/paste this into a new movie and see what you get in the output window  
> ActionScript Code:  
> [FONT=Courier New][LEFT][COLOR=#000000] **var** [/COLOR] picArray:[COLOR=#0000FF]Array[/COLOR] = [COLOR=#000000] **new** [/COLOR] [COLOR=#0000FF]Array[/COLOR]COLOR=#000000[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]0[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“bottle”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]1[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“bucket”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]2[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“carrierbag”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]3[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“chair”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]4[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“coat”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]5[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“cushion”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]6[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“envelope”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]7[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“fork”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]8[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“hat”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]9[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“jug”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]10[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“key”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]11[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“kitchenroll”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]12[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“lunchbox”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]13[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“mirror”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]14[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“newspaper”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]15[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“pan”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]16[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“phonebook”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]17[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“pictureframe”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]18[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“spoon”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]19[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“toyboat”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]20[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“toydoll”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]21[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“trophy”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]22[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“trouser”[/COLOR];  
> picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR][COLOR=#000080]23[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR] = [COLOR=#FF0000]“vase”[/COLOR];  
> [COLOR=#000000] **var** [/COLOR] i = [COLOR=#000080]0[/COLOR];  
> [COLOR=#0000FF]trace[/COLOR]COLOR=#000000[/COLOR];  
> mi = [COLOR=#0000FF]setInterval[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]([/COLOR][COLOR=#000000] **function** [/COLOR] COLOR=#000000[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000]{[/COLOR]  
> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;rndNum = [COLOR=#0000FF]Math[/COLOR].[COLOR=#0000FF]floor[/COLOR]COLOR=#000000[/COLOR];  
> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[COLOR=#808080]_[//this.blank.attachMovie](https://this.blank.attachMovie)(picArray[rndNum], “pic”+i, i++);_[/COLOR]  
> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;trace[COLOR=#000000]([/COLOR][COLOR=#FF0000]"picArray.length= “[/COLOR]+picArray.[COLOR=#0000FF]length[/COLOR]+[COLOR=#FF0000]” picArray[rndNum] = "[/COLOR]+picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR]rndNum[COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000])[/COLOR];  
> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;picArray.[COLOR=#0000FF]splice[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]([/COLOR]rndNum, [COLOR=#000080]1[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000])[/COLOR];  
> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;if [COLOR=#000000]([/COLOR]picArray.[COLOR=#0000FF]length[/COLOR] == [COLOR=#000080]0[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000])[/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000]{[/COLOR]  
> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;clearIntervalCOLOR=#000000[/COLOR];  
> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[COLOR=#000000]}[/COLOR]  
> [COLOR=#000000]}[/COLOR], [COLOR=#000080]1000[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000])[/COLOR];  
> [/LEFT]  
> [/FONT]

thanks stringy this array has been doing my head in, been going through flash mx 2004 actionscript book looking for answers…

so to attach Movie to stage all you will need is

this.blank.attachMovie(picArray[rndNum]);

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ukko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e68b1a/32.png) [@ukko](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/ukko)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/8 "2006-04-04T15:25:10Z")

</div>

> [@ukko](#):
>
> thanks stringy this array has been doing my head in, been going through flash mx 2004 actionscript book looking for answers…
> 
> so to attach Movie to stage all you will need is
> 
> this.blank.attachMovie(picArray[rndNum]);

didn’t see attachment will have a look at that thanks again

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stringy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@stringy](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/stringy)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/9 "2006-04-04T15:28:46Z")

</div>

> [@ukko](#):
>
> thanks stringy this array has been doing my head in, been going through flash mx 2004 actionscript book looking for answers…
> 
> so to attach Movie to stage all you will need is
> 
> this.blank.attachMovie(picArray[rndNum]);

```auto
 blank.attachMovie(picArray[rndNum], picArray[rndNum], blank.getNextHighestDepth());

```

in the file i uploaded change the code to this -might be nearer to what you want

```auto
this.createEmptyMovieClip("blank", 1);
mi = setInterval(function () {
	rndNum = Math.floor(Math.random()*picArray.length);
	var clip = blank.attachMovie("pic", picArray[rndNum], blank.getNextHighestDepth());
	clip._x = random(750);
	clip._y = random(550);
	clip.myText.text = picArray[rndNum];
	trace("picArray.length= "+picArray.length+" picArray[rndNum] = "+picArray[rndNum]);
	picArray.splice(rndNum, 1);
	if (picArray.length == 0) {
		clearInterval(mi);
	}
}, 1000);

```

i was too lazy to put loads of clips in the library-there is only 1 with linkage “pic”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ukko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e68b1a/32.png) [@ukko](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/ukko)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/removing-items-from-arrays/184225/10 "2006-04-04T15:36:21Z")

</div>

> [@stringy](#):
>
> ```
> ActionScript Code:
> [FONT=Courier New][LEFT]blank.[COLOR=#0000FF]attachMovie[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]([/COLOR]picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR]rndNum[COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR], picArray[COLOR=#000000][[/COLOR]rndNum[COLOR=#000000]][/COLOR], blank.[COLOR=#0000FF]getNextHighestDepth[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]([/COLOR][COLOR=#000000])[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000])[/COLOR];
> 
> ```
> 
> [/LEFT]  
> [/FONT]

I modified the code and testing

var clip = \_root.attachMovie(**picArray[rndNum]**, “pic”+i, i++);

and

picArray.splice(**picArray[rndNum]**);