Fastest method to escape HTML tags as HTML entities?

Handling user input – doing it the safe way

On top of the above sanitization function, it's crucial to handle user input securely. Always encode special characters when they find their use in HTML contexts to prevent unintended code injections. Characters like > when encoded as >, can work wonders in blocking potential script executions.

Leveraging prototypes – the global peacekeepers

Sometimes, you might need to escape HTML entities on a larger scale across your application. In such cases, why not extend the String prototype for a global scope:

String.prototype.escapeHTML = function() {
  // Element-bending like Avatar Aang ('textarea' clan)
  var temp = document.createElement('textarea');
  temp.textContent = this;
  // Voila! Clean HTML ("Tidy the yard, Hagrid" - Dumbledore)
  return temp.innerHTML;
};

// Your daily magic trick in one line
'<p>Hi, I\'m an HTML string</p>'.escapeHTML(); 


But remember, use this power sparingly as it can interfere with other libraries or future standards.

Performance drives: createElement vs. regex

Performance matters, especially when you deal with thousands of strings. It’s regex versus createElement, kind of like Batman v Superman. However, remember that there's often more benefit in using createElement and manipulating textContent. It provides smoother performance and evades rabbit holes associated with complex regex patterns. Always keep your friendly neighborhood benchmarking tool (like JSPerf) handy for scenario-based comparisons.

Visualization

Imagine escaping HTML tags as a busy intersection with each character as different vehicles. Here is their escape route:

| Character | Original Route | Escape Route (Entity)  |
| --------- | -------------- | ---------------------- |
| `<`       | Main Street 🏢  | `&lt;` Highway ⛰️     |
| `>`       | Main Street 🏢  | `&gt;` Highway ⛰️     |
| `&`       | Main Street 🏢  | `&amp;` Highway ⛰️    |
| `"`       | Main Street 🏢  | `&quot;` Highway ⛰️   |
| `'`       | Main Street 🏢  | `&apos;` Highway ⛰️   |

🚀 Fast, effective, and direct, just like a well-placed shortcut 🛣️🏎️💨

The fast lane: The Option().innerHTML technique

Recent discoveries have introduced a new player in town: new Option().innerHTML. It's like a hidden backroad for escaping HTML:

function escapeHTMLOption(html) {
  // I choose you, Charmander! (safe-option)
  return new Option(html).innerHTML;
}

// And just like that, HTML tags "disapparate"
escapeHTMLOption('<p>Hello there</p>');


Exciting as it may seem, ensure it's safe for browser compatibility and security implications before you hit the gas pedal.

Handling varied traffic: versatility with content lengths

The efficiency of our methods can fluctuate with length of content. Usually, strings ranging between 10 to 150 characters are common targets when escaping HTML tags. Test your functions with various string lengths to ensure reliability. Consider it as road-testing for different traffic conditions.

Taking the wheel: manual control with regex

For those control enthusiasts out there, nothing satisfies more than a well-crafted regex solution:

function escapeHTMLRegex(html) {
  return html.replace(/[&<>"']/g, function (char) {
    // "Change is good." - Rafiki(char-swapper)
    switch (char) {
      case '&': return '&amp;';
      case '<': return '&lt;';
      case '>': return '&gt;';
      case '"': return '&quot;';
      case "'": return '&apos;';
      default: return char;
    }
  });
}

// Your wish is its command
escapeHTMLRegex('<p>"Double quotes" & 'Single quotes'</p>');


It's like manually directing every character, ensuring each follows your exact command.