Whole word match in JavaScript in an Array

Question

I've looked high and low for this, with no real idea how to do it now... my scenario:

 var strArray = ['Email Address'];

 function searchStringInArray(str, strArray) {
     for (var j = 0; j < strArray.length; j++) {
        if (strArray[j].match(str)) return j;
     }
     return -1;
 }

 var match = searchStringInArray('Email', strArray);

Email does NOT equal Email Address... however .match() seems to match the two up, when it shouldn't. I want it to match the exact string. Anyone have any idea how I do this?

loxxy · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-04 16:09:28Z

2

You already have .indexOf() for the same thing you are trying to do.

So rather than looping over, why not use:

 var match = strArray.indexOf('Email');

edited Jul 4, 2013 at 16:09

answered Jul 4, 2013 at 16:04

loxxy

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Comments

Adrian Wragg · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-04 16:02:25Z

1

String.match is treating your parameter 'Email' as if it is a regular expression. Just use == instead:

      if (strArray[j] == str) return j;

From the Mozilla Development Network page on String.match:

If a non-RegExp object obj is passed, it is implicitly converted to a RegExp by using new RegExp(obj)

answered Jul 4, 2013 at 16:02

Adrian Wragg

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2 Comments

Chris Dixon Over a year ago

Not even sure why I didn't think of that... too long looking at the code I think! Thanks a lot, that works. I'll accept the answer when I can.

Adrian Wragg Over a year ago

To be honest, although I've answered your specific question, other answers here are actually closer to what you should be doing. I'm happy to forgo the points in favour of a better answer being promoted.

BrunoLM · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-04 16:04:35Z

0

Alternatively using RegExp

Use ^ and $

var str = "Email";
new RegExp(str).test("Email address")

Result: true

And for this:

var str = "Email";
new RegExp("^" + str + "$").test("Email address")

Result: false

answered Jul 4, 2013 at 16:04

BrunoLM

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