How to Best Perform Client-Side Validation Against Moderate Size Array

Question

Overview:
I have an array of 20 byte strings that needs to be stored on a web page for use in user entry validation. I anticipate between 25 and 1000 elements in that array.

Considerations:
1. The web client will be a mobile device with reduced memory and processor capability.
2. I am limited to client-side validation only (technical limitation for us right now).
3. Security is not an issue - I understand that the user can view the source.
4. I do not want to show the array to the user. I only want the user to enter a value, and then I iterate over the array to see if there's a match. If no match, I will issue a javascript message box to the user.

Question:
What is the best way to store and iterate over this data?

Answer 1

Instead of iterating, use an associative array, and test for the existence of that element:

var myChunks=[]
myChunks['aabbccdd...'] = true

Then you can check for the existance of the entered value by a simple test. No loops required:

if(myChunks[myValue]) {
   //found the value
}
else {
  // did not find value
}