if array values exist in a string (similar to regex)

Question

How can I determine if a string contains one of the values from an array?

For example:

var a = ["abc","def","ghi"];

var s = "jskljfdkljflkjk abc jskfdjklsj";


for(var i=0;i<a.length;i++){
    if(/a[i]/.test(s)) alert(1);
}

This obviously doens't work... I know it's very possible though hahaha

Do you want to match stuff like "ABC" in "jskljfdABCkljflkjk"? — bfavaretto
– bfavaretto, Commented May 24, 2013 at 14:34
thanks everyone! looks like i have a few different methods to choose from :) — d-_-b
– d-_-b, Commented May 24, 2013 at 14:40

nderscore · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-24 14:36:03Z

3

Your syntax for creating the regular expression is incorrect. That regex will only return true for a string "ai". And you're testing the regular expression against the array. I think what you meant to write is:

if(RegExp(a[i]).test(s)) alert(1);

You would probably be better off just using indexOf in this case. It'll be faster and you won't need to escape any characters.

var a = ["abc","def","ghi"],
    s = "jskljfdkljflkjk abc jskfdjklsj";

for(var i = 0, l = a.length; i < l; i++)
    if(s.indexOf(a[i])+1) alert('string s contains a value from array a');

answered May 24, 2013 at 14:36

nderscore

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4 Comments

Ven Over a year ago

no need to create a host object with new here. Also, I think ~ has better perfs than +1 (will try)

d-_-b Over a year ago

Thanks! also great explanation too!!

nderscore Over a year ago

@user1737909 you're right. I've removed the 'new' declaration from the regex.

nderscore Over a year ago

@user1737909 seems like they are virtually the same in performance for all modern browsers ( test results )

user1796666 · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-24 14:33:21Z

1

function doesStringContainElementFromArray(str, arr)
{
  for ( var i=0; i<arr.length; i++)
  {
    if ( str.indexOf(arr[i]) != -1 )
      return true;
  }
  return false;
}

answered May 24, 2013 at 14:33

user1796666

Comments

Ven · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-24 14:33:24Z

1

Just use the "RegExp" function/constructor (if you really need regexps)

if (RegExp(a[i]).test(a)) {
  alert(1);
}

if you don't, just use .indexOf

if (s.indexOf(a[i]) != -1) {
  alert("a[i]="+a[i]+" is matched in " + s);
}

answered May 24, 2013 at 14:33

Ven

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3 Comments

d-_-b Over a year ago

Thanks! What if I don't need regex and just want to match strings?

d-_-b Over a year ago

yea thanks just realized as you answered. Mainly interested in your regex answer, but thanks alot!!

user1796666 Over a year ago

I think regexp is much slower than indexOf

Sudz · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-24 14:39:38Z

1

You can use search method of JavaScript

var a = ["abc","def","ghi"];

var s  = "jskljfdkljflkjk abc jskfdjklsj";

for(var i=0;i<a.length;i++){

  if(s.search( a[i] ) != -1)
  {
     alert("found");
  }
}

answered May 24, 2013 at 14:39

Sudz

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