JavaScript: String.prototype.matchAll

New in JS2020.

str.matchAll(findStr)

If argument findStr is a string, it is converted to regex regexObj by RegExp with added global flag g. then str.matchAll(regexObj) is called.

str.matchAll(regexObj)

Return a Iterable Object (is also an Iterator) of all occurrences and captures, or return null if no match.

For each item in result, it is an array with meaning like this:

[matchStr, capture1, capture2, etc]

The first element of each array is occurrence of match. Rest elements are the captures. (Captures are always substring of the occurrence.)

The argument regexObj must have the flag g, else it's error. [see RegExp Flags]

const ss = "year 2010, 2015, and 2020";

const xx = ss.matchAll(/\d\d(\d)(\d)/g);

for (let k of xx) console.log(k);

/*
[ "2010", "1", "0" ]
[ "2015", "1", "5" ]
[ "2020", "2", "0" ]

The first element of each array is occurrence of match.
Rest elements are the captures.

captures are always substring of the occurrence.

*/

If giving a RegExp Object as argument, it must have the global flag g

"year 1999".matchAll(/\d{4}/);
// error: Uncaught TypeError: String.prototype.matchAll called with a non-global RegExp argument

Verifying Result is Iterable and Iterator

/* check matchAll result is iterable and iterator */

const xx = "year 1999 and 2020".matchAll(/\d/g);

console.log(
  Reflect.has(xx, Symbol.iterator),
  Reflect.has(xx, "next"),
);