Matrix sorter

gistfile1.js

// Create the class takes a single argument of the matrix to sort
var MatrixSorter = function(matrix){
    this.matrix = matrix || [];
    return this.init();
};

// Prototype the Class
MatrixSorter.prototype = {

    /**
     * Init the sorter
     */
    init: function(){
        this.numPasses = 0;
    },

    /**
     * Sort the matrix into a flat array
     * @returns {Array}
     */
    sort: function(){
        var matrix = this.matrix.slice(0);
        var solutionArray = [];
        var matrixLength = matrix.length;
        this.numPasses = 0;
        for(var i = 0; i < matrixLength; i++){
            var arrayGroup = matrix[i];
            var item = null
            var smallerItem = null;

            // Get the first element of the array until we are empty
            while(item = arrayGroup.shift()){
                this.numPasses++;
                var foundSmallerItem = true;

                // Loop over the other elements in all arrays looking for
                // a smaller or equal sized item until none are found
                while(foundSmallerItem){
                    smallerItem = this.findSmallerItem(item, matrix);
                    if(smallerItem){
                        solutionArray.push(smallerItem);
                    }
                    else {
                        foundSmallerItem = false;
                    }
                }

                // Append the item as no smaller ones were found
                solutionArray.push(item);
            }
        }

        // Return the sorted array
        return solutionArray;
    },

    /**
     * Loop over the available arrays looking for an item equal
     * or smaller thant he passed item, if found return it
     * @param item
     * @param arrays
     * @returns {*}
     */
    findSmallerItem: function(item, arrays){
        var arraysLength = arrays.length;
        for(var i = 0; i < arraysLength; i++){
            this.numPasses++;
            var arrayGroup = arrays[i];
            var arrayLength = arrayGroup.length;
            for(var k = 0; k < arrayLength; k++){
               this.numPasses++;
               var smallerItem = arrayGroup[k];
                if(smallerItem <= item){
                    return arrayGroup.splice(k, 1)[0];
                }
            }
        }
        return false;
    }
};

var matrix = [
    [1, 2, 2, 3],
    [2, 3, 3, 14],
    [2, 4, 24, 25],
    [2, 4, 2, 27, 49]
];
var s = new MatrixSorter(matrix);
var sorted = s.sort();
console.log("Sorted: " + sorted + " in " + s.numPasses + " passes");