JS-RegEx not working

Question

I have a string that has one or more {numeric}_{numeric} combinations (separated with comma) and I'd like to remove one specific combo.

('6_4,6_5,6_6').replace('\d+_5(,|$)','');

but it's not working as expected and I just do not see why. (tested in Firefox JS-Console)

Thanks for your help, guys! Now, there's an added complication, because that '5' in the RegEx is contained in a var and needs to somehow get into the string. The obvious approach `var str = '\d+_' + 5 + '(,|$)'; var rx = new RegExp(str); '6_4,6_5,6_6'.replace(rx,'');`does not do it. Ideas? — MBaas, May 20 '14 at 15:31
Ok, got it. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/494035/how-do-you-pass-a-variable-to-a-regular-expression-javascript :) — MBaas, May 20 '14 at 15:40

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered May 20 '14 at 15:23

Use the /.../ delimiters in stead of '...', otherwise Javascript will try to match that String (not your expression).

'6_4,6_5,6_6'.replace(/\d+_5(,|$)/,'');

Also, the () around your initial String were unnecessary (although did not cause any problems).

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered May 20 '14 at 15:23

2

You are telling it to replace a string.

.replace(/\d+_5/,'');

That should do it.

answered May 20 '14 at 15:23

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered May 20 '14 at 15:24

2

Because you are passing the regexp as a string, not as a regexp. Try:

('6_4,6_5,6_6').replace(/\d+_5(,|$)/,'')

answered May 20 '14 at 15:24

Adam

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered May 20 '14 at 15:25

2

You need to use regex syntax with / and not a string

('6_4,6_5,6_6').replace(/\d+_5(,|$)/,'');

answered May 20 '14 at 15:25

NeutronCode

4 Answers4