get RegExp[@@species]

The RegExp[@@species] accessor property returns the RegExp constructor.

Description

The species accessor property returns the default constructor for RegExp objects. Subclass constructors may over-ride it to change the constructor assignment.

Examples

Species in ordinary objects

The species property returns the default constructor function, which is the RegExp constructor for RegExp objects:

RegExp[Symbol.species]; // function RegExp()

Species in derived objects

In a derived collection object (e.g. your custom regexp MyRegExp), the MyRegExp species is the MyRegExp constructor. However, you might want to overwrite this, in order to return parent RegExp objects in your derived class methods:

class MyRegExp extends RegExp {
  // Overwrite MyRegExp species to the parent RegExp constructor
  static get [Symbol.species]() { return RegExp; }
}

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'get RegExp [ @@species ]' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
@@speciesChrome Full support 50Edge Full support 13Firefox Full support 49IE No support NoOpera Full support 37Safari Full support 10WebView Android Full support 50Chrome Android Full support 50Firefox Android Full support 49Opera Android Full support 37Safari iOS Full support 10Samsung Internet Android Full support 5.0nodejs Full support 6.5.0
Full support 6.5.0
Full support 6.0.0
Disabled
Disabled From version 6.0.0: this feature is behind the --harmony runtime flag.

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
User must explicitly enable this feature.
User must explicitly enable this feature.

See also