Matching Regular Expression in Javascript and PHP problem

Question

I can't figure out how to get the same result from my Javascript as I do from my PHP. In particular, Javascript always leaves out the backslashes. Please ignore the random forward and backslashes; I put them there so that I can cover my basis on a windows system or any other system. Output:

Input String: "/root\wp-cont  ent\@*%'i@$@%$&^(@#@''mage6.jpg:"    
/root\wp-content\image6.jpg (PHP Output)
/rootwp-contentimage6.jpg (Javascript Output)

I would appreciate any help!

PHP:
<?php
$path ="/root\wp-cont  ent\@*%'i@$@%$&^(@#@''mage6.jpg:";
 $path = preg_replace("/[^a-zA-Z0-9\\\\\/\.-]/", "", $path);
 echo $path;
?>

Javascript:
<script type="text/javascript">
var path = "/root\wp-cont  ent\@*%'i@$@%$&^(@#@''mage6.jpg:"; //exact same string as PHP
var regx = /[^a-zA-Z0-9\.\/-]/g;
path = path.replace(regx,"");
document.write("<br>"+path);
</script>

Qtax · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-19 17:06:42Z

3

Your problem is that you're not escaping the backslashes in your JS string, which you should always do (even in PHP) if you mean a backslash.

Example:

var path = "/root\wp-cont  ent\@*%'i@$@%$&^(@#@''mage6.jpg:";
alert(path);
path = "/root\\wp-cont  ent\\@*%'i@$@%$&^(@#@''mage6.jpg:";
alert(path);

edited Mar 19, 2010 at 17:06

answered Mar 19, 2010 at 17:00

Qtax

34k9 gold badges92 silver badges127 bronze badges

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

2 Comments

Qtax Over a year ago

@Frankie: Since I see that you are new here I just want to let you know that there is an answer checkbox to the left here, click that for the answer you are happy with. :)

Alan Moore Over a year ago

+1. PHP is forgiving (read: confusing) about backslashes in string literals. As Qtax said, do yourself a favor and escape them anyway.

gX. · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-19 17:06:51Z

0

Yup, Qtax is correct, then you can use this:
var regx = /[^a-zA-Z0-9\.\/-\\]/g;

answered Mar 19, 2010 at 17:06

gX.

9621 gold badge11 silver badges19 bronze badges

1 Comment

Qtax Over a year ago

No need to escape the dot in the char class.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Matching Regular Expression in Javascript and PHP problem

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related