content/snippets/js/s/max-subarray.md
---
title: Maximum subarray
type: snippet
language: javascript
tags: [algorithm,math,array]
cover: work-hard-computer
dateModified: 2022-09-07
---
Finds a contiguous subarray with the largest sum within an array of numbers.
- Use a greedy approach to keep track of the current `sum` and the current maximum, `maxSum`. Set `maxSum` to `-Infinity` to make sure that the highest negative value is returned, if all values are negative.
- Define variables to keep track of the maximum start index, `sMax`, maximum end index, `eMax` and current start index, `s`.
- Use `Array.prototype.forEach()` to iterate over the values and add the current value to the `sum`.
- If the current `sum` is greater than `maxSum`, update the index values and the `maxSum`.
- If the `sum` is below `0`, reset it to `0` and update the value of `s` to the next index.
- Use `Array.prototype.slice()` to return the subarray indicated by the index variables.
```js
const maxSubarray = (...arr) => {
let maxSum = -Infinity,
sum = 0;
let sMax = 0,
eMax = arr.length - 1,
s = 0;
arr.forEach((n, i) => {
sum += n;
if (maxSum < sum) {
maxSum = sum;
sMax = s;
eMax = i;
}
if (sum < 0) {
sum = 0;
s = i + 1;
}
});
return arr.slice(sMax, eMax + 1);
};
maxSubarray(-2, 1, -3, 4, -1, 2, 1, -5, 4); // [4, -1, 2, 1]
```