substr

JavaScript subStr: Main Tips

• The JavaScript substr() method extracts parts of a string.
• The method begins to extract at the specified string position and returns a new string of specified length.
• The substr() method does not change the original string. Instead, it returns a new string, containing the trimmed part of the text.
• An empty string is returned if length is 0 or negative.
• You may use a negative number to specify the trim start position counting from the end of a string.

Usage and Purpose Explained

The JavaScript substr() method results in a new string, containing the elements that were scraped off the original one. In other words, subStr JavaScript is applied when developers need to retrieve a specific part of the string.

Like you would expect, the JavaScript substr() will not influence the original string. Instead, the functions generates a separate string to represent the part that was taken from the original one.

Syntax Standard

Here is the basic syntax for writing the JavaScript substr() method:

string.substr(start, length)

In the parentheses, you can notice the start parameter, indicating from which index should the function commence the extraction process. It is required to define. More details on this parameter can be found in the table below. The second parameter is optional and called length. It indicates how long should the new string be.

Note: when defining a character index, keep in mind the first character in JavaScript is based at index 0!

JavaScript subString vs subStr

We should briefly address the common misconception about the JavaScript substr() and subString() functions. If you believe these functions to be exactly the same (a lot of beginners actually do), let us shed some light upon this matter.

To begin the JavaScript subString vs subStr discussion, we should state that these functions are similar, but differ in some ways. The mysterious difference hides in the parameters that these functions accept.

The JavaScript substr() function can take two parameters that indicate the index to start the extraction, and the length of the new string to be created:

var str = "Example text";
var res = str.substr(0, 3);

However, the parameters of JavaScript substring() indicate the index to begin and conclude at - not the length.

There is no clear winner in this fight. Try both functions, and decide for yourself which one you're more comfortable using. It is, however, important you know and understand them both.

Code Examples: Chance to Practice

Beginners should take advantage of the following code examples and practice using the JavaScript substr() method.

Click the Try it Live buttons to be transferred to a code editor. That's right: there's no need to leave the browser to practice! The examples below have the results displayed in the comment lines.

The first two code examples reveal how you can start the extraction process in indexes 3 and 8 and end it at the end of the string

var str = "Example text";
var res = str.substr(3);

var str = "Example text";
var res = str.substr(8);

The third example illustrates how the two last characters from the string are to be extracted:

var str = "Example text";
var res = str.substr(10,2);