Compare string with with 2 strings simultaniously in JS

Question

Why is this not working in JavaScript? I'm fairly new to programming.

var material = 'wood';

if (material != ('alu'||'plastic')) {
    material = 'plastic';
}

Thanks in advance!

hindmost · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-03 15:48:11Z

4

You could use Array's methods such as indexOf:

if (['alu','plastic'].indexOf(material) >= 0) {
    ...
}

answered Mar 3, 2015 at 15:42

hindmost

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Comments

mbomb007 · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-03 16:01:11Z

1

You instead need something like this:

if (material != 'alu' && material != 'plastic')

This is because the || operator requires an expression on both sides, meaning that you need to do a comparison on both sides.

EDIT: I changed it to && because I realized you wanted if check if the material was neither of the two.

answered Mar 3, 2015 at 15:43

mbomb007

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Itay Merchav · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-03 16:01:40Z

0

Try using regular expression:

var material = 'wood';

if (!/^(.*?(\balu\b|\b plastic\b)[^$]*)$/.test(material)) {
    material = 'plastic';
}

answered Mar 3, 2015 at 16:01

Itay Merchav

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