nodejs Express regex path: working in test, not working in code. What do I do wrong?

Question

I want a super simple filter in nodejs express routing path. The param must be word1 or word2. Tested in: https://forbeslindesay.github.io/express-route-tester/

with expression: test/:gender(\b(word1|word2)\b)

path: test/word2

And all works well. "The path matches the route"

But in code:

router.get('^/test/:gender(\b(word1|word2)\b)', function (req, res, next){//something})...;

I got 404(redirects from express, as it should if the param is not correct!).

Note 1: removing the regex string, it works.

Note 2: another filter I DID managed to make it work. It has to be like: "word1-word2[-moreWords]. I implemented it with

router.get('^/test/:user_name(*[a-zA-Z0-9][-]*[a-zA-Z0-9])', function (req, res, next) {//something});

and works without problem.

Note 3: I also test it (I write them first in:) https://regex101.com/ and, of course, they work.

So what do I do wrong?

you may have config missing at express please provide us with express configuration like port,context — Basil Battikhi
– Basil Battikhi, Commented Jul 19, 2018 at 14:38
Try '^/test/:gender(word1|word2)\\b' or '^/test/:gender(word1|word2)\b' — Wiktor Stribiżew
– Wiktor Stribiżew, Commented Jul 19, 2018 at 14:38
@WiktorStribiżew It worked! with the \\b! Great, thanks! Now please teach me, why it works in express routing test and not in code? This was just an example but I will use many regex to prevent wrong/malicious insertions and some of them more complex. Any tips on how/where to write and test them so that they do work in code as well? P.S. can you write it as reply so I can close the question? — SharpBCD
– SharpBCD, Commented Jul 19, 2018 at 14:49
@BasilBattikhi Can port influence regex? If port was wrong, I would get browser 404 (not express - as it should) on anything, right? — SharpBCD
– SharpBCD, Commented Jul 19, 2018 at 14:53
@SharpBCD i don't think so but u thought that you may hitting on different port — Basil Battikhi
– Basil Battikhi, Commented Jul 19, 2018 at 14:55

Wiktor Stribiżew · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-19 14:52:00Z

2

You may use

'^/test/:gender(word1|word2)\\b'

Note that there is no word boundary between gender and word, you can only keep the trailing word boundary.

To define a word boundary, you need a literal backslash followed with b, so inside a string literal, you should write two consecutive backslash symbols.

answered Jul 19, 2018 at 14:52

Wiktor Stribiżew

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