RegExp : Object

RegExp represents a regular expression that can be used for

searching and extracting parts of %%/String|**String**%%s.

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10

----

RegExp(pattern : String, [flags : String]) : RegExp

Same as %%#new_RegExp_String_String|**new RegExp(pattern, flags)**%%.

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.3.1

----

new RegExp(pattern : String, [flags : String]) : RegExp

Constructs a new **RegExp** for the specified **pattern**.

If **flags** contains **'g'**, %%#global|**this.global**%% will be set to **true**.

If **flags** contains **'i'**, %%#ignoreCase|**this.ignoreCase**%% will be set to **true**.

If **flags** contains **'m'**, %%#multiline|**this.multiline**%% will be set to **true**.

**RegExp**s can also be constructed using **/pattern/flags** syntax.

<example>

// The following are equivalent

var x = /pattern/i;

var y = RegExp('pattern', 'i');

var z = new RegExp('pattern', 'i');

</example>

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.4.1

----

prototype.exec(str : String) : Array<String>

If **this** matches **str**, returns a new **Array** with item **0** equal to the

portion of **str** that matched the regular expression, item **1** equal to the first

capturing group in **this**, item **2** equal to the second capturing group in **this**,

and so on. If **this** doesn't match **str**, returns **null**.

<example>

var regexp = /(\d\d\d)-(\d\d\d\d)/;

var result = regexp.exec('call me: 555-4385');

if (result) {

console.log(result[0]);

console.log(result[1]);

console.log(result[2]);

}

</example>

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.6.2

----

prototype.test(str : String) : Boolean

Returns **true** if **this** matches **str**.

<example>

var regexp = /(\d\d\d)-(\d\d\d\d)/;

console.log(regexp.test('555-4385'));

console.log(regexp.test('KL5-4385'));

</example>

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.6.3

----

instance.source : String

The pattern of this regular expression.

<example>

var regexp = /(\d\d\d)-(\d\d\d\d)/;

console.log(regexp);

console.log(regexp.source);

</example>

ReadOnly:

true

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.7.1

----

instance.global : Boolean

**true** if the **RegExp** was created with the **'g'** flag. Global

**RegExp**s will match each place %%#source|**this.source**%% occurs in the string, not

just the first match.

<example>

console.log('abcba'.replace(/b/, 'X'));

console.log('abcba'.replace(/b/g, 'X'));

</example>

ReadOnly:

true

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.7.2

----

instance.ignoreCase : Boolean

**true** if the **RegExp** was created with the **'i'** flag. IgnoreCase

**RegExp**s will do case insensitive matching.

<example>

console.log(/hello/.test('Hello'));

console.log(/hello/i.test('Hello'));

</example>

ReadOnly:

true

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.7.3

----

instance.multiline : Boolean

**true** if the **RegExp** was created with the **'m'** flag. Multiline

**RegExp**s will match **'^'** to the beginning of lines as well as the

beginning of the string and match **'$'** to the end of lines as well as

the end of the string.

<example>

var str = 'hello\nworld';

console.log(/^world/.test(str));

console.log(/^world/m.test(str));

</example>

ReadOnly:

true

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.7.4

----

instance.lastIndex : Number

The starting index into the string for the next search. Is automatically set to the

index after a successful match. This property only applies if the **RegExp** is %%#global|**global**%%.

<example>

var regexp = /foo|bar|baz/g;

console.log(regexp.exec('foo bar baz')[0]);

console.log(regexp.lastIndex);

regexp.lastIndex = 5;

console.log(regexp.exec('foo bar baz')[0]);

</example>

Spec:

http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-15.10.7.5