javascript - Is there any regexp replacement? -

yesterday i've been lost, when tried produce regexp regexp, i've failed escape out escaped escapes (for javascript). regexps great cli unix pipe chains , in once-used-shell-scripts, or when want quick-and-dirty solution something, don't want maintain program, uses regexps. regexps unreadable, hard debug etc., etc.

are there other line-oriented string manipulation package/language/whatsoever beyond regexp? or language produces regexp?

as far i'm concerned regexes quite high-level already. they're obtuse sure , learning curve steep, it's short: can read need know regex flavor on 1 html page, isn't true e.g. python.

so if have regex it's making feel brain leaking out ears , you'd lot happier if more explicit, i'd go down level, not up. writing kind of state machine instead of using pattern matching may clarify logic.