arithmetic-operations-for/naturals-big-endian

import assert from 'assert';

/**
 * Subtracts 1 from a big endian array.
 *
 * Wraps on underflow. Hence, does nothing if aj <= ai.
 *
 * O(|A|) time in the worst case.
 * O(1) amortized time over any number of successive operations starting with A = O(1).
 * O(1) amortized time over O(|A|) successive operations starting with any A.
 *
 * @param {Number} r radix
 * @param {Array} a first operand
 * @param {Number} ai a left
 * @param {Number} aj a right
 */
export default function decrement(r, a, ai, aj) {
    assert(r >= 2);
    assert(ai >= 0 && aj <= a.length);

    while (--aj >= ai) {
        if (a[aj] > 0) {
            --a[aj];
            return;
        }

        a[aj] = r - 1;
    }
}