Does JavaScript Have a Built-in RegExp Escape Function?

Is There a Native RegExp.escape Function in JavaScript?

In JavaScript, creating a regular expression from an arbitrary string can be challenging. While Ruby provides a convenient RegExp.escape method, JavaScript lacks a built-in equivalent.

Escaping Characters for Regular Expressions

To include literal characters in a regular expression, it's often necessary to escape them. This is achieved by preceding them with a backslash (). For instance, to match the string "[", one would use "[" in the regex.

Current Escape Regex Solutions

Unfortunately, the function linked in another answer falls short in escaping certain characters, such as ^ (start of string), $ (end of string), and - (used for ranges in character groups).

A Comprehensive Escape Regex Function

A more robust escape function, as suggested in another response, is provided below:

function escapeRegex(string) {
    return string.replace(/[/\-\^$*+?.()|[\]{}]/g, '\$&');
}

This function effectively escapes all characters that have special significance in regular expressions, including those neglected in other solutions. Its versatility extends to both character classes and regex bodies, making it suitable for a wide range of use cases.

The Need for a Native Solution

It's worth noting the absence of a standard RegExp.escape method in JavaScript. While the provided function offers a viable alternative, the lack of a native implementation remains a glaring omission in the language's functionality.

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