Hello guys! welcome to my new tutorial on JavaScript. In this tutorial post am going to discussing about the RegExp Methods. I will be starting with the exec method, so make sure to read through very carefully.
The RegExp exec Method
The exec method searches string for text that matches regexp. If it finds a match, it returns an array of results; otherwise, it returns null.
Syntax
Its syntax is as follows -
RegExpObject.exec( string );
Parameter Details
string - The string to be searched
Return Value
Returns the matched text if a match is found, and null if not.
Example
Try the following example below.
<html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp exec Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.exec( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "pushing" , "g" );
var result = re.exec( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp exec Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.exec( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "pushing" , "g" );
var result = re.exec( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Below is the output of the above example.
Test 1 - Returned Value: script
Test 2 - Returned Value: null
Test 2 - Returned Value: null
You can also read our tutorial post on: A practical guide to Regular Expressions(RegExp) properties in JavaScript
The RegExp test Method
The test method searches string for text that matches regexp. If it finds a match, it returns true; otherwise, it returns false.
Syntax
Its syntax is as follows -
RegExpObject.test( string );
Parameter Details
string - The string to be searched
Return Value
Returns the matched text if a match is found, and null if not.
Example
Try the following example below.
<html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp test Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.test( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "pushing" , "g" );
var result = re.test( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp test Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.test( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "pushing" , "g" );
var result = re.test( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Below is the output of the above example.
Test 1 - Returned Value: true
Test 2 - Returned Value: false
Test 2 - Returned Value: false
You can also read our tutorial post on: Static Methods in JavaScript - Learn with well explained examples
The RegExp toSource Method
The toSource method represents the source code of the object. Take note that this method is not supported by all browsers.
Syntax
Its syntax is as follows -
RegExpObject.toSource( );
Return Value
Returns the string representing the source code of the object.
Example
Try the following example below.
<html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp toSource Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.toSource( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "/" , "g" );
var result = re.toSource( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp toSource Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.toSource( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "/" , "g" );
var result = re.toSource( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Below is the output of the above example.
Test 1 - Returned Value: /script/g
Test 2 - Returned Value: /\//g
Test 2 - Returned Value: /\//g
You can also read our tutorial post on: JavaScript Array object with examples
The RegExp toString Method
The RegExp toString method returns a string representation of a regular expression in the form of a regular expression literals.
Syntax
Its syntax is as follows -
RegExpObject.toString( );
Return Value
Returns the string representing only a regular expression.
Example
Try the following example below.
<html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp toString Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.toString( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "/" , "g" );
var result = re.toString( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
<head>
<title> JavaScript RegExp toString Method</title>
</head>
<body>
<script type = "text/javascript">
var str = "JavaScript is an interesting scripting language";
var re = new RegExp( "script" , "g" );
var result = re.toString( str );
document.write("Test 1 - Returned Value: " + result );
re = new RegExp( "/" , "g" );
var result = re.toString( str );
document.write("<br />Test 2 - Returned Value: " + result );
</script>
</body>
</html>
Output
Below is the output of the above example.
Test 1 - Returned Value: /script/g
Test 2 - Returned Value: /\//g
Test 2 - Returned Value: /\//g
Alright guys! we have come to the end of this tutorial on JavaScript RegExp Methods. In my next tutorial post, i will be discussing about the JavaScript Document Object Model.
Feel free to ask your questions via the comment box below. Do follow us on all our social media platforms available.
Thanks for reading and bye for now.
Feel free to ask your questions via the comment box below. Do follow us on all our social media platforms available.
Thanks for reading and bye for now.