How do I split a string with multiple separators in JavaScript?

Question

Pass in a regexp as the parameter:

js> "Hello awesome, world!".split(/[\s,]+/)
Hello,awesome,world!

Edited to add:

You can get the last element by selecting the length of the array minus 1:

>>> bits = "Hello awesome, world!".split(/[\s,]+/)
["Hello", "awesome", "world!"]
>>> bit = bits[bits.length - 1]
"world!"

... and if the pattern doesn't match:

>>> bits = "Hello awesome, world!".split(/foo/)
["Hello awesome, world!"]
>>> bits[bits.length - 1]
"Hello awesome, world!"

You can pass a regex into JavaScript's split() method. For example:

"1,2 3".split(/,| /) 
["1", "2", "3"]

Or, if you want to allow multiple separators together to act as one only:

"1, 2, , 3".split(/(?:,| )+/) 
["1", "2", "3"]

(You have to use the non-capturing (?:) parenthesis, because otherwise it gets spliced back into the result. Or you can be smart like Aaron and use a character class.)

Examples tested in Safari and Firefox.

Another simple but effective method is to use split + join repeatedly.

"a=b,c:d".split('=').join(',').split(':').join(',').split(',')

Essentially doing a split followed by a join is like a global replace so this replaces each separator with a comma then once all are replaced it does a final split on comma

The result of the above expression is:

['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

Expanding on this you could also place it in a function:

function splitMulti(str, tokens){
        var tempChar = tokens[0]; // We can use the first token as a temporary join character
        for(var i = 1; i < tokens.length; i++){
            str = str.split(tokens[i]).join(tempChar);
        }
        str = str.split(tempChar);
        return str;
}

Usage:

splitMulti('a=b,c:d', ['=', ',', ':']) // ["a", "b", "c", "d"]

If you use this functionality a lot it might even be worth considering wrapping String.prototype.split for convenience (I think my function is fairly safe - the only consideration is the additional overhead of the conditionals (minor) and the fact that it lacks an implementation of the limit argument if an array is passed).

Be sure to include the splitMulti function if using this approach to the below simply wraps it :). Also worth noting that some people frown on extending built-ins (as many people do it wrong and conflicts can occur) so if in doubt speak to someone more senior before using this or ask on SO :)

    var splitOrig = String.prototype.split; // Maintain a reference to inbuilt fn
    String.prototype.split = function (){
        if(arguments[0].length > 0){
            if(Object.prototype.toString.call(arguments[0]) == "[object Array]" ) { // Check if our separator is an array
                return splitMulti(this, arguments[0]);  // Call splitMulti
            }
        }
        return splitOrig.apply(this, arguments); // Call original split maintaining context
    };

Usage:

var a = "a=b,c:d";
    a.split(['=', ',', ':']); // ["a", "b", "c", "d"]

// Test to check that the built-in split still works (although our wrapper wouldn't work if it didn't as it depends on it :P)
        a.split('='); // ["a", "b,c:d"] 

Enjoy!

Lets keep it simple: (add a "[ ]+" to your RegEx means "1 or more")

This means "+" and "{1,}" are the same.

var words = text.split(/[ .:;?!~,`"&|()<>{}\[\]\r\n/\\]+/); // note ' and - are kept