How to escape asterisk in regexp?

Question

I want to use the pattern *1*. I have tried \*1\*, but it doesn't work. Where is the problem?

@Mike Don't know if you'll see this, but thanks for switching the slashes. It got ninja-edited either while I was editing or while it was in the review queue. — Joshua Dwire, Mar 04 '13 at 16:02
@jdwire yeah I saw it. The other edits looked good, so I just reverted that one part. — Mike, Mar 04 '13 at 16:05

Beat Richartz · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-04T16:02:51.343

36

You have to escape it with a backslash:

/\*1\*/

Otherwise, an unescaped * in a RegExp will mean: Match 0 or more of the Preceding Character Group.

Update:

If you use the RegExp constructor, do it this way:

new RegExp("\\*1\\*")

You have to double-escape the backslashes because they need to be escaped in the string itself.

edited Mar 04 '13 at 16:02

answered Mar 04 '13 at 15:55

Beat Richartz

i have edited my question, but yes i used backslash and it doesn't work – user2080105 Mar 04 '13 at 15:57
The forward slashes mark the start and the end of the regexp. You have to start with a forward slash and end with one, and in between escape the asterisks with backslashes. Exactly like in the example I've given. – Beat Richartz Mar 04 '13 at 15:58
no but i m using RegExp constructor so i don't need to use forward slash – user2080105 Mar 04 '13 at 15:59
@user2080105 I updated my question. If you construct a RegExp via a string, you'll have to double-escape. If you're using some other tool, please document it in your question. – Beat Richartz Mar 04 '13 at 16:03
@BeatRichartz you mean you updated your answer? – Adam Burley Jul 23 '21 at 14:20

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 04 '13 at 15:55

0

need to use a backslash \ as the escape character in regexes.

answered Mar 04 '13 at 15:55

ohTHATaaronbrown

1

i have edited my question, but yes i used backslash and it doesn't work – user2080105 Mar 04 '13 at 15:57

2 Answers2