Javascript Regular Expression Performance

[Necuima 15]

Hi,

 

I have a form field that needs to be validated before any attempt is made to upload the contents to a database.  Fear not, the test is performed again in PHP before the db update!

 

I am using jQuery and the associated jQuery form validation module.  Everything works fine but I have found that three slightly different regular expression tests can be used - my question is: are there any performance or other reasons why one particular approach is best?

 

Here's the code together with an explanation of the regex:

$.validator.addMethod(

    "details_OK",

    function (value, element) {

     var valx = String(value);

     // var regex_tester = new RegExp(

     var regex_tester = /^(http:\/\/)(\S)+(\?u=){1}(\S)+(\&id=){1}(\S)+(\&e=){1}(\S)+/;

     /*

     var regex_tester = /

        // must start with what follows

      "^" +

      // now the http bit...

      "(http:\/\/)" +

      // any letters, numbers or periods (one or more of them)

      "(\\S)+" +

      // must contain ?u= (once)

      "(\?u=){1}" +

      // now more letters, numbers etc..

      "(\\S)+" +

      // now &id= (once)

      "(\&id=){1}" +

      // now more letters, numbers etc..

      "(\\S)+" +

      // now &e= (once)

      "(\&e=){1}" +

      // now more letters, numbers etc..

      "(\\S)+" +

      /;

     */ 

     // Note:  all 3 of the following tests work OK...

     // if (regex_tester.test(valx))

     // if (/^(http:\/\/)(\S)+(\?u=){1}(\S)+(\&id=){1}(\S)+(\&e=){1}(\S)+/.test(valx))

     if (valx.match(/^(http:\/\/)(\S)+(\?u=){1}(\S)+(\&id=){1}(\S)+(\&e=){1}(\S)+/))

      return true;

     else

      return false;

     

    },

    "Error - The Internet address (URL) does not have some of the required/expected details."

    );  // end details check 

I could not get the "...new RegExp approach to work thus it is commented out.

 

Any thoughts/advice will be most appreciated.

 

Thanking you in anticipation,

 

Cheers from Oz.

[HartleySan 826]

Use the test method when you just want to check for a match, and use match when you actually want to get the match(es) back.

The literal syntax (i.e., //) will always be faster than the new RegExp syntax, and as such, I only use new RegExp when I need to embed a variable in my regex.

[Necuima 15]

Thanks HartleySan, your advice is always appreciated.

 

Cheers from Oz.

[Larry 422]

Definitely agreeing with HartleySan here. Thanks!