Split string in JavaScript using RegExp ignoring the delimiter inside brackets

Question

I have various instances of strings that I need to split. Following are some examples and the desired output scenarios. The rules to split are also listed:

Example 1:

input: 'filename.ext|someattributes'
output array: 
  'filename.ext', 
  'someattributes'

Example 2:

input: qualifier1[filename.ext|someattributes]|qualifier2[another_filename.ext|some_other_attributes]
output array: 
  'qualifier1[filename.ext|someattributes]',
  'qualifier2[another_filename.ext|some_other_attributes]'

Example 3:

input: dummyqualifier|qualifier1[filename.ext|someattributes]
output array: 
  'dummyqualifier', 
  'qualifier1[filename.ext|someattributes]'

The rules are simple. Split the string using '|' as delimiter only when it does not appear inside square brackets. Note: The string may not have any square brackets. There are no spaces in the input strings.

I am looking for a solution in JavaScript as this is for a node.js module.

deviousdodo · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-12 08:53:03Z

3

This regex should work for the cases you've outlined:

/\|(?!(?:\w+\|?)+])/

Here's an example of it running: http://jsfiddle.net/UFq3h/1/ (you will need to have the console opened to see the results).

Crude explanation: any | character not followed by (word characters or | followed by ]). If you need a more precise explanation post a comment and I'll try to make it clearer.

Edit: Thanks to Lolo for the improved version, which handles the last example in the use case.

edited Dec 12, 2011 at 8:53

answered Dec 12, 2011 at 8:36

deviousdodo

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1 Comment

Ninja Sloth Over a year ago

Thanks draevor. This works great. I think I understand how it is working.

Krzysztof · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-12 08:35:57Z

1

I can't think of regex right now, but you can do this:

function doSplit(input) {
    var tmp = input.split('|');

    var result = [];
    for (var i = 0, j = 0; i < tmp.length; i++) {
        result[j] = (result[j] ? result[j] + '|' : '') + tmp[i];
        if (result[j].indexOf('[') == -1 || result[j].indexOf(']') != -1) {
            j++;
        }
    }

    return result;
}

var i = 'qualifier1[filename.ext|someattributes]|qualifier2[another_filename.ext|some_other_attributes]';
var o = doSplit(i);

answered Dec 12, 2011 at 8:35

Krzysztof

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1 Comment

Ninja Sloth Over a year ago

Thanks Lolo, appreciate your quick response.

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