Regex javascript to escape some chars

Question

I need to develop a function in javascript that escapes some chars and then returns the cleaner string.

for example I need to prefix all those chars:

^ * +  ?  [  ]

by \

from:

this is a [string] that ^ contains some ? chars

To

this is a \\[string\\] that \\^ contains some \\? chars

Best regards

This is not really a duplicate, it actually asks for a javascript function to escape JQL (jira query language) strings. See @Amine's comment below. I would suggest adding "jql" and "jira" as labels to the question. — cipak, Oct 12 '18 at 19:07

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 25 '17 at 13:04

2

You can use a REGEX to do so:

'asdas^asdas [asd]'.replace(/([\^\*\+\?\[\]])/g, '\\$1')

Explanation:

( : captures a group
[ : any of those
\^\*\+\?\[\] : all the chars you want, escaped
.replace : replace those who match (any of the chars you choose, save capturing group
$1 the first capturing group, prefixed by
// a single slash, escaped

answered Jan 25 '17 at 13:04

Luan Nico

Thanks Luan I tried your regex But it return **asdas\^asdas \[asd\]** – Amine Hatim Jan 25 '17 at 13:09
Here it returns `"asdas\^asdas \[asd\]"`. I'm trying on chrome console and node v6.4.0. If you want double slashes, use quadruple slashes (escaped) in the replace part (`'\\\\$1'`). Are you sure the brackets are not escaped? What exact code are you running? – Luan Nico Jan 25 '17 at 13:11
I tried this it works **'asdas^asdas [asd]'.replace(/([\^\*\+\?\[\]])/g, '\\\\$1')** – Amine Hatim Jan 25 '17 at 13:12
Oh, you probably forgot the *g*. The *g* makes it global, that is, replace every occurrence, otherwise it will just do the first. – Luan Nico Jan 25 '17 at 13:12
I need to make Jira JQL request and there is some reserved characters which I need to escape theme – Amine Hatim Jan 25 '17 at 13:14
You need to escape every char (well, not every, but you can escape every one to be sure). If you want these chars `^*+?[]`, use `\^\*\+\?\[\]` (single slash before each). – Luan Nico Jan 25 '17 at 13:14
Thanks @Luna it works – Amine Hatim Jan 25 '17 at 13:23

1 Answers1