String replacement only replaces first instance.

[thessa]

IE5.
This string replacement function only replaces the first instance of an asterisk with a backslash instead of all asterisks in the string. Anyone have ideas as to why it's not replacing all the *?

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE=&quot;JavaScript&quot; TYPE=&quot;text/javascript&quot;>
<!--
function sendPath(pathName){
var newpath = pathName.replace(&quot;*&quot;,&quot;\\&quot;
window.opener.document.forms[0].elements[0].value=newpath;
self.close;
}
//-->;

Background if you will find it helpful:
I am passing a file path in a variable to a javascript function, but I couldn't make the backslashes (\) pass in the string. I decided instead to replace the slashes with asterisks before sending the variable, and now the asterisks get passed inside the variable, so that the file path 'C:\Inetpub\

http://wwwroot\ThessaTest\buttonpage.asp'

looks like this 'C:*Inetpub*

http://wwwroot*ThessaTest*buttonpage.asp'

when it arrives in the javascript function. So far so good. Then I try to replace all of the asterisks with backslashes again so that it will look like a normal file path and I can pass the value to a text box on the parent page. But instead of replacing all asterisks, it only replaces the first one, like this: 'C:\Inetpub*

http://wwwroot*ThessaTest*buttonpage.asp'

thanks
thessa

 

[Deltaflyer]

function swap()
{for (i=0;i<document.form.field.value.length;i++)
{document.form.field.value = document.form.field.value.replace(&quot;8&quot;,&quot;*&quot}}

This will repeat the replacement for each character in the path, ie 25 characters 25 replacements.

Hope it helps. DeltaFlyer
The Only Programmer To Crash With Style. LOL

 

[thessa]

Thanks so much for the quick reply! I used your advice and it works perfectly! I changed the function around to fit my scenario like this:

function sendPath(pathName){
var newpath = pathName.replace(&quot;*&quot;,&quot;\\&quot;
for (i=0;i<pathName.length;i++)
{newpath = newpath.replace(&quot;*&quot;,&quot;\\&quot;
}
window.opener.document.forms[0].elements[0].value=newpath;
window.close;
}

have a good one

 

[Deltaflyer]

No Problem, Glad to help. DeltaFlyer
The Only Programmer To Crash With Style. LOL

 

[jaredn]

Another solution is a to use a regular expression.

var newpath = pathName.replace(/\*/g,&quot;\\&quot;

Then you only have to call it once, no need for a loop. jared@eae.net -

http://webfx.eae.net

 

[johnnydaboy]

right on, Jared! Hope Thessa comes back to read your reply. Hope the DeltaFlyer reads it too, come to think of it.

 

[Deltaflyer]

The DeltaFlyer has entered the building. (Hiya JohnBoy)

Jared, if your still linked to this thread, can you help me out, i know from one of your previous threads that regular expressions are some form of higher language, Java,C type stuff can't remember, but could you point me to a good site that will educate me in their wily ways.

Thanks as always, DeltaFlyer
The Only Programmer To Crash With Style. LOL

 

[thessa]

Yes, even better plan, the regular expression! I have implemented it and it's short, sweet and running fine. I'll be looking for those references DeltaFlyer suggested, as I have read a bit on regular expressions but still don't have a good grasp on them...

 

[jaredn]

I did a little research for you guys:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/jscript/doc/reconIntroductionToRegularExpressions.htm

jared@eae.net -

http://webfx.eae.net

 

[Deltaflyer]

Jared, what a star you are.
Cheers buddy. DeltaFlyer
The Only Programmer To Crash With Style. LOL