string - Searching for a last word in JavaScript

Question

I am doing some logic for the last word that is on the sentence. Words are separated by either space or with a '-' character.

What is easiest way to get it?

Edit

I could do it by traversing backwards from the end of the sentence, but I would like to find better way

Answer 1

Try splitting on a regex that matches spaces or hyphens and taking the last element:

var lastWord = function(o) {
  return (""+o).replace(/[s-]+$/,'').split(/[s-]/).pop();
};
lastWord('This is a test.'); // => 'test.'
lastWord('Here is something to-do.'); // => 'do.'

As @alex points out, it's worth trimming any trailing whitespace or hyphens. Ensuring the argument is a string is a good idea too.