Finds the first substring match in a regular expression search.
Syntax
stringObj.search(rgExp)
Parameters
stringObj
Required. The String object or string literal on which to perform the search.
rgExp
Required. An instance of a Regular Expression object containing the regular expression pattern and applicable flags.
Return Value
If a match is found, the search method returns an integer value that indicates the offset from the beginning of the string where the first match occurred. If no match is found, it returns -1.
Remarks
You can also set the i flag that causes the search to be case-insensitive.
Example
The following example illustrates the use of the search method.
var src = "is but a Dream within a dream";
var re = /dream/;
var pos = src.search(re);
document.write(pos);
document.write("<br/>");
re = /dream/i;
pos = src.search(re);
document.write(pos);
// Output:
// 24
// 9
Requirements
Supported in the following document modes: Quirks, Internet Explorer 6 standards, Internet Explorer 7 standards, Internet Explorer 8 standards, Internet Explorer 9 standards, Internet Explorer 10 standards, Internet Explorer 11 standards. Also supported in Store apps (Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.1). See Version Information.
Applies To: String Object
See Also
exec Method (Regular Expression)
match Method (String)
Regular Expression Object
Regular Expression Syntax (JavaScript)
replace Method (String)
test Method (Regular Expression)
Regular Expression Programming (JavaScript)