The RegExp[@@species] accessor property returns the RegExp constructor.
Syntax
RegExp[Symbol.species]
Description
The species accessor property returns the default constructor for RegExp objects. Subclass constructors may over-ride it to change the constructor assignment.
Examples
The species property returns the default constructor function, which is the RegExp constructor for RegExp objects:
RegExp[Symbol.species]; // function RegExp()
In a derived collection object (e.g. your custom regexp MyRegExp), the MyRegExp species is the MyRegExp constructor. However, you might want to overwrite this, in order to return parent RegExp objects in your derived class methods:
class MyRegExp extends RegExp {
// Overwrite MyRegExp species to the parent RegExp constructor
static get [Symbol.species]() { return RegExp; }
}
Specifications
| Specification | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262) The definition of 'get RegExp [ @@species ]' in that specification. |
Standard | Initial definition. |
| ECMAScript 2017 Draft (ECMA-262) The definition of 'get RegExp [ @@species ]' in that specification. |
Draft |
Browser compatibility
| Feature | Chrome | Firefox (Gecko) | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | ? | 49 (49) | ? | ? | ? |
| Feature | Android | Chrome for Android | Firefox Mobile (Gecko) | IE Mobile | Opera Mobile | Safari Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | ? | ? | 49.0 (49) | ? | ? | ? |