Question

How do you replace the dollar sign ($) in JavaScript?

Answer and Explanation

In JavaScript, the dollar sign ($) is a valid character in identifiers (variable names, function names, etc.), but it can also be used in string literals. If you need to replace the dollar sign within a string, you can use several methods. Here's how:

1. Using the `replace()` method with a string:

- The simplest way to replace a single instance of the dollar sign is by using the `replace()` method. Since `$` is a special character in regular expressions, you need to escape it with a backslash (`\`) when using a regular expression. However, when using a string as the first argument, you don't need to escape it.

- Example:

let str = "The price is $100";
let newStr = str.replace("$", "USD");
console.log(newStr); // Output: "The price is USD100"

2. Using the `replaceAll()` method:

- If you need to replace all occurrences of the dollar sign, you can use the `replaceAll()` method. This method is available in modern JavaScript environments.

- Example:

let str = "The price is $100 and another $50";
let newStr = str.replaceAll("$", "USD");
console.log(newStr); // Output: "The price is USD100 and another USD50"

3. Using the `replace()` method with a regular expression:

- You can also use the `replace()` method with a regular expression to replace all occurrences. In this case, you need to escape the dollar sign with a backslash and use the global flag (`g`).

- Example:

let str = "The price is $100 and another $50";
let newStr = str.replace(/\$/g, "USD");
console.log(newStr); // Output: "The price is USD100 and another USD50"

4. Using a loop and string concatenation (less efficient):

- While less efficient, you can also use a loop to iterate through the string and replace the dollar signs. This method is generally not recommended for performance reasons.

- Example:

let str = "The price is $100 and another $50";
let newStr = "";
for (let i = 0; i < str.length; i++) {
  if (str[i] === "$") {
    newStr += "USD";
  } else {
    newStr += str[i];
  }
}
console.log(newStr); // Output: "The price is USD100 and another USD50"

Choosing the right method:

- For replacing a single instance, `replace("$", "replacement")` is sufficient.

- For replacing all instances, `replaceAll("$", "replacement")` is the most straightforward and recommended method if available.

- If `replaceAll()` is not available, use `replace(/\$/g, "replacement")`.

- Avoid using loops for string manipulation unless absolutely necessary due to performance considerations.

By using these methods, you can effectively replace the dollar sign ($) with any other string in JavaScript.

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