I have a variable in javascript with text separated with mas, for example:

var array = "hello,goodbye,test1,test2,1,90m tall"; [NO SPACE AFTER COMMAS]

If I use .split(','); the result is as follows:

array[0] = hello
array[1] = goodbye
array[2] = test1 
array[3] = test2
array[4] = 1
array[5] = 90m tall

But I want this:

array[0] = hello
array[1] = goodbye
array[2] = test1 
array[3] = test2
array[4] = 1,90m tall

How can I do it? I can imagine I have to add some special restriction but I don't know how...I also checked regex but...no success.

I have a variable in javascript with text separated with mas, for example:

var array = "hello,goodbye,test1,test2,1,90m tall"; [NO SPACE AFTER COMMAS]

If I use .split(','); the result is as follows:

array[0] = hello
array[1] = goodbye
array[2] = test1 
array[3] = test2
array[4] = 1
array[5] = 90m tall

But I want this:

array[0] = hello
array[1] = goodbye
array[2] = test1 
array[3] = test2
array[4] = 1,90m tall

How can I do it? I can imagine I have to add some special restriction but I don't know how...I also checked regex but...no success.

• javascript
• arrays
• split

• Use a . Instead of , for numbers? – evolutionxbox Commented Apr 16, 2016 at 16:55
• @evolutionxbox It's just an example, in real life it's a big variable with long text (500KB, > 9000lines) so I can't just replace it with . – Cheknov Commented Apr 16, 2016 at 16:57
• Use the , answers, but only if you can guarantee that's how the mas are separated. – evolutionxbox Commented Apr 16, 2016 at 17:00
• @evolutionxbox I edited the main post, it's my fault, no spaces after ma! – Cheknov Commented Apr 16, 2016 at 17:01
• 1 In the future make sure you use real code. You just invalidated 2 answers that were correct and that's not cool. – Drew Kennedy Commented Apr 16, 2016 at 17:06

5 Answers 5

It depends on what the logic is by which you want to split or not split. If for instance you don't want to split by a ma that has at least two digits following it, then this will do it:

array.split(/,(?!\d\d)/))

This performs a negative look ahead for two digits, and will only match mas which do not have these digits following them.

Snippet:

var array = "hello,goodbye,test1,test2,1,90m tall";

document.body.innerHTML = array.split(/,(?!\d\d)/)
                               .join('<br>');

Follow up question/answer

You asked in ments how to split this:

[hello]blabla,[how,are,you]xx,[i'm fine]

So that a ma would only split if it were followed by an opening bracket.

For this you use positive look ahead (?=):

var array = "[hello]blabla,[how,are,you]xx,[i'm fine]";

document.body.innerHTML = array.split(/,(?=\[)/)
                               .join('<br>');

Use .split(', ') (note the included space)

Edit: Based on your change to the question, trincot's solution does what you're asking for.

Here's a JSFiddle to prove it: https://jsfiddle/ea2mdgpj/

If the string really has spaces after each ma-separated field, just change the split call:

.split(', ');

You can do it like,

var array = "hello,goodbye,test1,test2,1,90m tall";
array = array.split(",");
array.push(array.splice(array.length - 1).join(","));

And now console.log(array) will be,

["hello", "goodbye", "test1", "test2", "1,90m tall"]

Concept behind the logic,

• split the string by using the delimiter ,
• detach the last two cells from the array using splice.
• attach the detached part into the original array by joining with ,

var array = "hello, goodbye, test1, test2, 1,90m tall";

Add the spaces and use .split(', '), or use dots ('.') for numbers instead of mas (',')