CODE EXAMPLE FOR JAVASCRIPT

calculate string value in javascript

function calculate(input) {

  var f = {
    add: '+',
    sub: '-',
    div: '/',
    mlt: '*',
    mod: '%',
    exp: '^'
  };

  // Create array for Order of Operation and precedence
  f.ooo = [
    [
      [f.mlt],
      [f.div],
      [f.mod],
      [f.exp]
    ],
    [
      [f.add],
      [f.sub]
    ]
  ];

  input = input.replace(/[^0-9%^*/()-+.]/g, ''); // clean up unnecessary characters

  var output;
  for (var i = 0, n = f.ooo.length; i < n; i++) {

    // Regular Expression to look for operators between floating numbers or integers
    var re = new RegExp('(d+.?d*)([' + f.ooo[i].join('') + '])(d+.?d*)');
    re.lastIndex = 0; // take precautions and reset re starting pos

    // Loop while there is still calculation for level of precedence
    while (re.test(input)) {
      output = _calculate(RegExp.$1, RegExp.$2, RegExp.$3);
      if (isNaN(output) || !isFinite(output)) 
        return output; // exit early if not a number
      input = input.replace(re, output);
    }
  }

  return output;

  function _calculate(a, op, b) {
    a = a * 1;
    b = b * 1;
    switch (op) {
      case f.add:
        return a + b;
        break;
      case f.sub:
        return a - b;
        break;
      case f.div:
        return a / b;
        break;
      case f.mlt:
        return a * b;
        break;
      case f.mod:
        return a % b;
        break;
      case f.exp:
        return Math.pow(a, b);
        break;
      default:
        null;
    }
  }
}