How do I gsub this string using regex?

Question

Ok this is rather embarrassing but I have this string:

>> t1
=> ["name: Big Lebowski\n"]

Then I want to replace the entire line with ""

>> t2 = t1.collect{|n| n.gsub("/^name.*$/", "")}
=> ["name: Big Lebowski\n"]

I get the same thing. What gives?

Answer 1

You have put your regular expression inside a string, which obviously won't work.

>> t2 = t1.collect{|n| n.gsub(/^name.*$/, "")}
=> ["\n"]

If you also want to get rid of the newline, use the m regex modifier.

>> t2 = t1.collect{|n| n.gsub(/^name.*$/m, "")}
=> [""]

Answer 2

That's because you're using "gsub" in you block instead of "gsub!" - as the last one modifies the target. Try:

t2 = t1.collect{|n| n.gsub!("/^name.*$/", "")}