How do I replace multiple items in a string?

Question

Starting string:

I like [dogs], [cats], and [birds]

Final output needed:

I like <a href="#">dogs</a>, <a href="#">cats</a>, and <a href="#">birds</a>

So basically changing items with brackets to links.

Answer 1

Use this expression:

var str = 'I like [dogs], [cats], and [birds]';
alert(str.replace(/\[(.+?)\]/g, '<a href="#">$1</a>'));

• \[(.+?)\] asks for a literal [, to lazily match and capture anything, then to match a literal ]. Replace with the captured stuff enclosed in <a> tags.

• The g modifier means global replacement, i.e. find and replace every match and not just the first.

jsFiddle preview

Answer 2

It's a simple string replace.

function tagIt(source)
{
  return source.replace('[', '<a href="#">').replace(']', '</a>');
}