The .replace() method does change the string in place

Question

I simply try to use the .replace() method. And it does not work.

HTML:

<div class="try"> </div>

JS:

var valr='r';
valr.replace('r', 't');
$('.try').prepend('<div> ' + valr + '</div>');

Result: I get 'r', while I would like to get 't'

Any idea on why it doesn't work?

From the [MDN docs](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/String/replace) _This method does not change the String object it is called on. It simply returns a new string._ — epascarello, Nov 20 '12 at 14:47

score 14 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 20 '12 at 14:41

14

replace() (a JavaScript function, not jQuery) returns a string, try this :

var valr='r';
valr = valr.replace('r', 't');
$('.try').prepend('<div> '+valr+'</div>');

answered Nov 20 '12 at 14:41

Manse

@JulietteDupuis no probs - check out the [MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/JavaScript/Reference) when you have issues like this - all JavaScript functions are documented there – Manse Nov 20 '12 at 14:45

score 7 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 20 '12 at 14:41

7

You need to save the variable after it has been replaced

valr = valr.replace('r','t');

answered Nov 20 '12 at 14:41

Anton

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 20 '12 at 14:42

5

First off replace is not a jQuery method - it's plain javascript. Second, it returns a new instance of the string so you need:

valr = valr.replace('r', 't');

answered Nov 20 '12 at 14:42

Jamiec

3 Answers3