using regex in .replace() method

Question

I'm using a the .replace() method in javascript to convert a serialized array of objects into a simpler serialzed string. Here is my code:

b = //string
b = b.replace(/},{/gi, "},cb,,{");
b = b.replace(/}],[{/gi, "},cb,,row,{"); //The error is being thrown for this line

When I run this code I am getting an "Unexpected Token /" error for the third line. Why is this? The line is more or less identical to the line above it. Please help me figure this out.

Note: I cant submit a string without the regex as an argument because I need the substring to be replaced more than once.

BoltClock · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-03 19:55:32Z

5

In this context, the opening [ is a special character that indicates a character class. Since there isn't a ] occurring after it, the error occurs.

You simply need to escape the [ for your regex to work:

b = b.replace(/}],\[{/gi, "},cb,,row,{");

For the sake of consistency, I wouldn't hesitate to escape the other brace characters since they are special characters as well (but happen to be parsed literally in this context):

b = b.replace(/\}\],\[\{/gi, "},cb,,row,{");

answered Mar 3, 2012 at 19:55

BoltClock

728k165 gold badges1.4k silver badges1.4k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

using regex in .replace() method

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related