# Decimal number to binary number conversion in JavaScript

I made this decimal to binary conversion as an exercise for myself and because it is obviously often asked during job interviews / tests.

Any hints concerning possible improvements welcomed.

// -- START : Testing the function --------
var display = document.querySelector('div');
var result = '';
var n = 255;
var maxSpace = n.toString().length;

// Assigning wrong parameter.
console.log('Result empty: ' + getBinaryNumber());
console.log('Result string: ' + getBinaryNumber('abc'));

// Helper function: Avoiding "stairs".
function getSpaces(count, someChar) {

if (!count) return '';

var ret = '';

for (var i = 0; i < count; i++) {
ret += someChar;
}

return ret;
}

var spaces = getSpaces(maxSpace, '0');

for (var i = 0; i <= n; i++) {
result +=
(spaces + i).slice(- maxSpace) +
' : ' + getBinaryNumber(i, ' ') + '<br />';
}

display.innerHTML = result;
// -- END : Testing the function --------

// Converts a decimal number to a binary number.

// -- Parameter --------------------------
// Number - The decimal number to convert.

// -- Return -----------------------------
// String - The number in it's binary
// represention.
// On error:
// Returns an empty string.

function getBinaryNumber (decimalNumber, separator) {
// Parameter check
if (decimalNumber === 0) return 0;

if (!decimalNumber) return '';

if (isNaN(decimalNumber)) return '';

separator = separator || '';
// Local variables
var ret = [];
var bit = decimalNumber % 2;

ret.push(bit);

decimalNumber = ~~(decimalNumber / 2);

while (decimalNumber > 1) {
bit = decimalNumber % 2;
ret.push(bit);

decimalNumber = ~~(decimalNumber / 2);
}

if (decimalNumber > 0) ret.push(decimalNumber);

return ret.reverse().join(separator);
}
<div></div>

A general feeling after taking a glance at your code is that you do this:

if (decimalNumber > 0) ret.push(decimalNumber);


i.e. that you put in the same line of code, both the if statement and the if body.

I would expect to see (with brackets maybe):

if (decimalNumber > 0)
ret.push(decimalNumber);


That might be of course a personal taste, but I thought it would be nice for you to think twice about it.

Also:

// Local variables
var ret = [];
var bit = decimalNumber % 2;


everybody knows that ret and bit are local variables, so, think twice² for removing that comment.

• Had the feeling that I need some kind of separator when opening another "section" after the parameter-checks. But yes you are right. It's a bit stupid within there. Mar 9 '16 at 12:46

Comment says, that function will return a string, and then returns a number.

if (decimalNumber === 0) return 0


Best improvement would be using a native method

function getBinaryNumber(num, sep) {
if (typeof num != "number") num = parseFloat(num)
return sep ? num.toString(2).split("").join(sep) : num.toString(2)
}


I would remove separator parameter, as it makes no sense to combine this functionality.

function getBinaryNumber(num) {
return (typeof num == "number" ? num : parseFloat(num)).toString(2)
}

• Thanks a lot. You've given me lots of useful hints. :) But concerning the isNaN-check you are wrong. It shall intercept the case: Something which can't be converted to a number (e.g. 'a#bc') has been given as parameter. Without that check 'bit' gets the value NaN after applying the mod-operator the first time. This would become the return value later. Mar 10 '16 at 7:31