regex for multiple option

Question

I need to write a regex expression to use with JS .match() function. The objective is to check a string with multiple alternatives. For example, I want to return true in below code if mystr contains word1 or word2 or word3

mystr1 = "this_is_my_test string_containing_word2_where_i_will_perform_search";
mystr2 = "this_is_my_test string_where_i_will_perform_search";
myregex = xxxxxx; // I want help regarding this line so that 
if(mystr1.match(myregex)) return true; //should return true
if(mystr2.match(myregex)) return true; //should NOT return true

Any help please?

The regex would check if the str contains any of the options: word1, word2 or word3? — Diego
– Diego, Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 15:52
yes, that is my intention ... but all words will be in a string in comma separated format. — abdfahim
– abdfahim, Commented Jan 11, 2013 at 16:08

Konstantin Dinev · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-11 15:52:47Z

14

So use the OR | in your RegEx:

myregex = /word1|word2|word3/;

answered Jan 11, 2013 at 15:52

Konstantin Dinev

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abdfahim Over a year ago

So, if my words are in a variable (comma separated), should this work? s = $var.replace(",","|"); myregex = new RegExp(s,"i");

Diego · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-11 15:56:23Z

2

The regex is: /word1|word2|word3/

Be aware that, as well as your code would work, you are actually not using the method you need.

string.match(regex) -> returns an array of matches. When evaluated as boolean, it would return false when empty (that's why it works).
regex.test(string) -> is what you should use. It evaluates if the string matches the regex and return a true or false.

answered Jan 11, 2013 at 15:56

Diego

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Bruno · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-11 15:56:55Z

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If you are not making use of your matches then I might be inclined to using the test() method and including the i flag as well.

if( /word1|word2|word3/i.test( mystr1 ) ) return true; //should return true
if( /word1|word2|word3/i.test( mystr2 ) ) return true; //should NOT return true

answered Jan 11, 2013 at 15:56

Bruno

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