Why Doesn't This Regexp work?

Question

Here is the regexp: /<\?nib.+\?>/im

I'm testing it on a file like this:

<html>

<head>
<title>OPEN LARK</title>
</head>

<body>
<h1>THIS IS A HEADER 

    <?nib   
             asdf
    ?>
</h1>
</body>

</html>

I am getting no matches. How can I fix this?

@p.s.w.g: be careful, because m in ruby is like s in other regex flavors, but in javascript m means line by line mode. — Casimir et Hippolyte, Jul 12 '13 at 22:23

score 8 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 11:49

8

You are using the . to match multilines. That isn't implemented in Javascript. Check this answer for a workaround.

About the workaround:

Instead of the dot, use a class and its negation to match everything. For example, replace the . with [\s\S].

edited May 23 '17 at 11:49

Community

answered Jul 12 '13 at 22:05

Racso

No problem. Don't forget to consider accepting an answer for your question. – Racso Jul 13 '13 at 22:33

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 12 '13 at 22:05

4

because the dot (.) doesn't match newlines.

The way in javascript is to replace the dot by [\s\S]

answered Jul 12 '13 at 22:05

2 Answers2