Regex replace problem with (mostly) string content

Question

Hey all;

I'm trying to wrap all occurrences of an IP address with an HREF so I can then Do Stuff(tm).

I've run the regex itself through several validators, and it matches pattern as expected. Therefore, I'm thinking my problem is in the implementation, but I can't see the correct path. Can anyone help out?

Here's the regex and relevant code:

var theIps = new RegExp('^((25[0-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|[0-9]{1,2})\.){3}(25[0-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|[0-9]{1,2})$','g');  
var newBody = jQuery('#ELEMENT').html();  
var processed = newBody.replace(theIps, '<a class="ipPopup" href="javascript:void(0)" rel="10.5.1.2"    onclick="addToWatchlist(this)">TESTING REGEX</a>');  
jQuery('#ELEMENT').html(processed);

Thanks in advance for any assistance...

Answer 1

Use regex syntax for your regex:

var theIps = /^((25[0-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|[0-9]{1,2})\.){3}(25[0-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|[0-9]{1,2})$/g;  

When you build the RegExp object from a string, you have to double the backslashes. If the regular expression is constant (i.e., you're not building it up dynamically) then it's easier to use the "native" syntax.