RegExp.prototype.compile()

Deprecated
This feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

The deprecated compile() method is used to (re-)compile a regular expression during execution of a script. It is basically the same as the RegExp constructor.

Syntax

regexObj.compile(pattern, flags)

Parameters

pattern
The text of the regular expression.
flags

If specified, flags can have any combination of the following values:

g
global match
i
ignore case
m
multiline; treat beginning and end characters (^ and $) as working over multiple lines (i.e., match the beginning or end of each line (delimited by \n or \r), not only the very beginning or end of the whole input string)
y
sticky; matches only from the index indicated by the lastIndex property of this regular expression in the target string (and does not attempt to match from any later indexes).

Description

The compile method is deprecated. You can just use the RegExp constructor to achieve the same effect.

Examples

Using compile()

The following example shows how to recompile a regular expression with a new pattern and a new flag.

var regexObj = new RegExp('foo', 'gi');
regexObj.compile('new foo', 'g');

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'RegExp.prototype.compile' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
compile
Deprecated
Chrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 4Opera Full support 6Safari Full support 3.1WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 2Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0nodejs Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.

See also