Regular Expressions 101

Save & Share

Flavor

  • PCRE2 (PHP >=7.3)
  • PCRE (PHP <7.3)
  • ECMAScript (JavaScript)
  • Python
  • Golang
  • Java 8
  • .NET 7.0 (C#)
  • Rust
  • Regex Flavor Guide

Function

  • Match
  • Substitution
  • List
  • Unit Tests

Tools

Sponsors
There are currently no sponsors. Become a sponsor today!
An explanation of your regex will be automatically generated as you type.
Detailed match information will be displayed here automatically.
  • All Tokens
  • Common Tokens
  • General Tokens
  • Anchors
  • Meta Sequences
  • Quantifiers
  • Group Constructs
  • Character Classes
  • Flags/Modifiers
  • Substitution
  • A single character of: a, b or c
    [abc]
  • A character except: a, b or c
    [^abc]
  • A character in the range: a-z
    [a-z]
  • A character not in the range: a-z
    [^a-z]
  • A character in the range: a-z or A-Z
    [a-zA-Z]
  • Any single character
    .
  • Alternate - match either a or b
    a|b
  • Any whitespace character
    \s
  • Any non-whitespace character
    \S
  • Any digit
    \d
  • Any non-digit
    \D
  • Any word character
    \w
  • Any non-word character
    \W
  • Non-capturing group
    (?:...)
  • Capturing group
    (...)
  • Zero or one of a
    a?
  • Zero or more of a
    a*
  • One or more of a
    a+
  • Exactly 3 of a
    a{3}
  • 3 or more of a
    a{3,}
  • Between 3 and 6 of a
    a{3,6}
  • Start of string
    ^
  • End of string
    $
  • A word boundary
    \b
  • Non-word boundary
    \B

Regular Expression
No Match

/
/
g

Test String

Code Generator

Language

Generated Code

use strict; my $str = 'Jita IV - Moon 4 - Caldari Navy Assembly Plant Amarr VIII (Oris) - Emperor Family Academy Dodixie IX - Moon 20 - Federation Navy Assembly Plant Hek VIII - Moon 12 - Boundless Creation Factory Rens VI - Moon 8 - Brutor Tribe Treasury Mastakomon VI - Propel Dynamics Factory Ishisomo VIII - Propel Dynamics Factory Oursulaert III - Federation Navy Testing Facilities Eruka II - Propel Dynamics Warehouse Agil VI - Moon 2 - CONCORD Logistic Support Orvolle I - Federation Navy Assembly Plant Tash-Murkon Prime II - Moon 1 - Kaalakiota Corporation Factory Stacmon V - Moon 9 - Federation Navy Assembly Plant Ichoriya V - Caldari Navy Logistic Support Motsu VII - Moon 6 - Caldari Navy Logistic Support X-7OMU II - Moon 7 - The Sanctuary School Apanake VIII - Moon 8 - Sisters of EVE Bureau PR-8CA III - Blood Raiders Logistic Support Teonusude III - Moon 1 - Republic Fleet Assembly Plant 5ZXX-K V - Moon 17 - Mordu\'s Legion Testing Facilities Vlillirier IV - Moon 13 - Wiyrkomi Corporation Warehouse TG-Z23 III - Moon 8 - True Power Logistic Support Tar III - Secure Commerce Commission Depository Asghatil IX - Moon 3 - DED Assembly Plant Osmon II - Moon 1 - Sisters of EVE Bureau Villore VI - Federal Defense Union Logistic Support Charmerout IX - Wiyrkomi Corporation Factory Halle VII - Moon 6 - Federal Intelligence Office Assembly Plant XHQ-7V VI - True Yulai Shipyards Waskisen IX - Moon 11 - Corporate Police Force Logistic Support N5Y-4N VII - Moon 20 - Guristas Logistic Support Badivefi VIII - Moon 10 - Royal Khanid Navy Logistic Support Kamela V - 24th Imperial Crusade Logistic Support Esescama VIII - Moon 3 - Imperial Armaments Warehouse Arnon IX - Moon 3 - Sisters of EVE Bureau Couster II - Moon 1 - Federal Navy Academy Clellinon VI - Moon 11 - Center for Advanced Studies School Maila VII - Expert Housing Warehouse Aeschee X - Moon 20 - Sisters of EVE Academy XX9-WV VII - Moon 3 - Salvation Angels Trading Post Chamemi VI - Moon 1 - Royal Khanid Navy Assembly Plant Simela IV - Moon 7 - Sisters of EVE Academy Berta VI - Moon 19 - Ammatar Consulate Bureau Jita IV - Moon 5 - Caldari Navy Assembly Plant Nein VII - Moon 4 - Impro Factory Maila VI - Moon 1 - Zainou Biotech Production Tintoh VIII - Caldari Navy Testing Facilities Nourvukaiken V - State Protectorate Logistic Support Kakakela VI - Moon 15 - Caldari Navy Assembly Plant Alentene V - Moon 4 - Duvolle Laboratories Factory Pakkonen IV - Moon 19 - Caldari Constructions Production Plant Boystin V - Moon 6 - Federal Intelligence Office Assembly Plant Kamio VI - Moon 7 - Sukuuvestaa Corporation Production Plant Masalle VI - Moon 9 - Federation Navy Logistic Support Serpentis Prime VIII - Moon 2 - Serpentis Corporation Chemical Refinery A-ELE2 VI - Blood Raiders Assembly Plant Okagaiken IV - Caldari Navy Logistic Support Vey VIII - Moon 15 - FedMart Warehouse Alentene VI - Moon 6 - Roden Shipyards Warehouse Nisuwa VII - State Protectorate Logistic Support Irjunen II - Corporate Police Force Assembly Plant Aunia I - Moon 11 - Federation Navy Assembly Plant Pashanai III - Moon 2 - Amarr Navy Assembly Plant Illuin V - Moon 13 - Republic University Sortet V - Moon 1 - Federation Navy Assembly Plant Bereye VI - Federal Intelligence Office Assembly Plant Cat VI - Moon 7 - Federal Intelligence Office Logistic Support Hysera II - Corporate Police Force Assembly Plant Akiainavas III - School of Applied Knowledge V-3YG7 VI - The Capital Uemisaisen VII - Moon 16 - Home Guard Assembly Plant Ordion VII - Moon 16 - Amarr Navy Testing Facilities J5A-IX III - Mark Watney flies like Ironman Huola VI - 24th Imperial Crusade Logistic Support Algogille IX - Moon 3 - Federal Administration Information Center Kourmonen V - Ishukone Corporation Factory Sujarento IV - State Protectorate Logistic Support SHBF-V VI - atap\'s Hafnium Vault Nennamaila X - Wiyrkomi Peace Corps Assembly Plant LGK-VP V - Moon 3 - True Power Assembly Plant K-QWHE VI - Moon 15 - Serpentis Corporation Chemical Refinery Uitra VI - Moon 4 - State War Academy Zinkon VII - Moon 1 - Caldari Business Tribunal Accounting Kehjari II - Kaalakiota Corporation Factory Konora VI - Kaalakiota Corporation Factory YZ-LQL VII - Moon 1 - Guardian Angels Assembly Plant Kulelen V - Moon 8 - Zainou Biotech Production Vestouve IX - Moon 11 - Aliastra Warehouse G-0Q86 VII - Moon 1 - Guardian Angels Assembly Plant Kinakka III - Lai Dai Corporation Factory Gehi IX - Moon 4 - Royal Khanid Navy Assembly Plant Funtanainen IV - Moon 1 - Caldari Navy Logistic Support Ihakana VIII - Moon 6 - Nugoeihuvi Corporation Development Studio Oshaima IV - State Protectorate Logistic Support Shintaht IV (Konrakas) - Asgard I9B-8X Auvergne V - Moon 5 - Federal Intelligence Office Assembly Plant Aphend VII - Moon 7 - Carthum Conglomerate Foundry B-WPLZ VII - The Stables 43B-O1 VIII - 43Bad Titans 5KG-PY II - 20000 Isotopes Palas II - Royal Khanid Navy Assembly Plant E02-IK VIII - Moon 1 - Thukker Mix Factory Sirekur VIII - Moon 1 - Republic University WW-OVQ VI - District-85 Trade and Sale Luminaire VII (Caldari Prime) - Moon 6 - Federation Navy Assembly Plant 4C-B7X VIII - Moon 1 - Outer Ring Excavations Mining Outpost Maila IV - Zainou Biotech Production Aldrat IX - Moon 13 - Minmatar Mining Corporation Mineral Reserve Tuomuta III - Ducia Foundry Mining Outpost Eldjaerin IV - Nurtura Food Packaging WY-9LL VIII - Moon 3 - Dominations Testing Facilities J7A-UR VI - Dominations Testing Facilities Mani VII - Moon 10 - Amarr Navy Assembly Plant Z3V-1W VII - Blood Raiders Assembly Plant N-HSK0 IV - Newport Beach Duripant VII - Moon 6 - Federal Navy Academy Venilen IX - Moon 7 - Caldari Navy Testing Facilities D87E-A VII - Moon 16 - Archangels Assembly Plant P-33KR II - RIP Vile Rat Sobaseki VII - Caldari Navy Logistic Support Nakri V - Moon 5 - Sarum Family Assembly Plant E-FIC0 I - E-FIC0NGESTION DR-427 VIII - Knackwurst inside P4-3TJ IX - Puckum\'s house of Handy\'s Azer VI - Moon 3 - Federation Customs Assembly Plant Lanngisi III - Moon 2 - Sisters of EVE Bureau Avenod VIII - Moon 17 - TransStellar Shipping Storage 319-3D IX - Moon 22 - Blood Raiders Logistic Support Onnamon IV - State Protectorate Logistic Support Deltole III - Moon 1 - Core Complexion Inc. Warehouse X-M2LR VI - Moon 8 - Intaki Commerce Warehouse Dresi I - Moon 18 - Emperor Family Bureau Onnamon I - State War Academy Gamis X - Ammatar Fleet Logistic Support Badivefi VI - Moon 2 - Royal Khanid Navy Logistic Support C1-HAB IV - Ulthor\'s Manor Hasmijaala X - Moon 3 - Expert Housing Production Plant Dumkirinur V - Republic Military School 6T3I-L VII - Moon 5 - Beta HQ Mora VI - Moon 4 - Ishukone Corporation Factory XGH-SH VIII - Look who\'s back Friggi VII - Moon 12 - Lai Dai Corporation Factory Bhizheba IX - Moon 1 - Amarr Navy Logistic Support XKM-DE X - Panhellenic project 4-1ECP VIII - Blood-Gulch Outpost Number One N-8BZ6 IX - The Curse Of Volt Jufvitte VI - Moon 4 - Roden Shipyards Factory C8-CHY X - RIP Vile Rat Akonoinen I - Wiyrkomi Peace Corps Assembly Plant FC-3YI VII - Ragnar Anchorage Fliet III - Federal Defense Union Logistic Support Uemon VIII - Moon 3 - Perkone Factory Uedama VII - Lai Dai Corporation Factory Vasala VI - Moon 10 - Genolution Biotech Production Avele V - Moon 11 - CreoDron Warehouse I-1QKL VII - Operation Barbarossa Cistuvaert V - Moon 12 - Center for Advanced Studies School ERVK-P VII - Scorpio Base Niballe V - Moon 1 - Federation Navy Testing Facilities RQNF-9 XI - Bear\'s Den Halle VII - Federal Administration Bureau Offices Arnola VII - Moon 1 - Trust Partners Trading Post Parses VI - Moon 11 - Royal Khanid Navy Assembly Plant Siseide VII - Expert Distribution Retail Center Aunsou IV - Moon 3 - Core Complexion Inc. Factory FZCR-3 I - The Oasis Zehru IX - Moon 4 - Viziam Factory Torrinos V - Moon 16 - Home Guard Logistic Support 6VDT-H V - Praesidium FD-MLJ VII - Moon 2 - Intaki Bank Depository Bosboger VI - Moon 7 - Republic Security Services Assembly Plant Piak III - Moon 19 - Caldari Navy Assembly Plant Ishomilken V - State Protectorate Logistic Support WV-0R2 V - It won\'t fit O-O2GN II - Ice Citadel Kulu X - Moon 16 - Royal Amarr Institute School 1L-OEK VIII - Spectre\'s Cloaky Ninjas 3V8-LJ IV - DOKDO-SUPREMACY Auner VIII - Moon 10 - Thukker Mix Factory Muvolailen IX - Moon 11 - Spacelane Patrol Assembly Plant OP7-BP V - The Tapirs Den L-1SW8 I - Fort Apache Tanoo IV - Trust Partners Trading Post XUW-3X VIII - Shoulder Deep Gergish X - Moon 3 - Royal Amarr Institute School M-RPN3 VII - Deeps homeland DK-FXK V - DK-Favela VSIG-K VIII - Moon 1 - Intaki Syndicate Bureau Algogille XIII - Federation Navy Testing Facilities Oulley IV - Moon 1 - Federation Navy Assembly Plant Sasta VI - Moon 3 - Ammatar Fleet Assembly Plant KFIE-Z III - Moon 7 - Blood Raiders Assembly Plant W0X-MG VI - ManDude - The Mouth Of The North Kubinen IX - Spacelane Patrol Assembly Plant Hageken V - Moon 2 - Caldari Navy Assembly Plant Sivala VIII - Sukuuvestaa Corporation Warehouse Scheenins II - Moon 2 - Roden Shipyards Factory Myyhera VIII - Moon 2 - Amarr Constructions Production Plant HVGR-R V - HVGR-R - MTL Reprocessing Plant 8QMO-E III - RIP Vile Rat Jouvulen III - Science and Trade Institute School Arton II - CreoDron Factory Pemene VI - Moon 2 - Wiyrkomi Corporation Factory 0N-3RO VII - Moon 14 - Blood Raiders Testing Facilities 85-B52 IV - 85-B52s Love Shack Kisogo VII - State War Academy Khanid Prime V - Moon 1 - Khanid Innovation Factory Scolluzer XI - Moon 4 - Nugoeihuvi Corporation Development Studio NG-M8K III - Tetonic Shift Aurohunen V - Moon 10 - Propel Dynamics Factory Penirgman IX - Moon 3 - Ministry of Internal Order Assembly Plant Sakht VI - Moon 7 - Genolution Biotech Production E8-432 III - Trust in Patrick 1-7B6D VI - 1-7 SHIME ratting carriers here HED-GP III - Hatuk Homestead Uedama VI - Moon 8 - Spacelane Patrol Logistic Support Esa VIII - Moon 2 - Viziam Warehouse Sirppala IV - Moon 4 - Rapid Assembly Factory Hentogaira I - Moon 11 - Science and Trade Institute School PC9-AY III - Intaki Commerce Trading Post MB-NKE VII - Word Of Bob Vlillirier VII - Roden Shipyards Factory NM-OEA V - Moon 4 - Outer Ring Excavations Mining Outpost E-YCML IV - Lion\'s Den 0DD-MH VI - Alpha HQ Nalvula IX - Moon 2 - Spacelane Patrol Assembly Plant M-MBRT I - Moishe\'s Pawn Shop - we buy gold O-N589 VIII - Citadel Thugs 60M-TG I - Intergalactic Sparkle Dragon Den Lirsautton I - CreoDron Factory Rayl X - Moon 3 - Carthum Conglomerate Factory 9F-7PZ IX - If it aint Dutch It aint much Eygfe VII - Moon 19 - Minmatar Mining Corporation Refinery Jel V - Duvolle Laboratories Factory CH9L-K VI - CH9L-K Milliways G-D0N3 VIII - Can gD0 attitude 3-SFWG V - DRASY Jobcenter Shafrak VIII - Moon 9 - Amarr Navy Assembly Plant Huola X - Moon 2 - Ishukone Corporation Factory O94U-A I - In Honor of Sean -Vile Rat Gulfonodi X - Moon 15 - Republic Fleet Testing Facilities X-7BIX VIII - S E V A S T O P O L 1IX-C0 IX - Carebear Retirement Home G-4H4C III - Kazeboshka UVHO-F II - Special Ed Academy Eha III - State Protectorate Logistic Support FDZ4-A IX - Moon 6 - Society of Conscious Thought School DP-JD4 IX - Armistice Station Ikami X - CreoDron Factory Villore VII - Moon 6 - Senate Bureau Tanoo V - Moon 1 - Ammatar Consulate Bureau NBW-GD VI - ISI\'s Pleasure Palace H-GKI6 VI - Basilica of Maxentius Q-ITV5 VI - Sala Alts Chej VI - Ministry of Internal Order Assembly Plant Hentogaira II - Perkone Factory Sasiekko III - 24th Imperial Crusade Logistic Support 0-O6XF IX - Princess of the south Dresi I - Moon 18 - Republic Security Services Assembly Plant Tash-Murkon Prime V - Moon 1 - Tash-Murkon Family Bureau Suroken VIII - Moon 7 - Propel Dynamics Factory C-BHDN III - Mount Sinai KZFV-4 IX - FR Liberte Egalite Fraternite Gisleres IV - Moon 6 - Roden Shipyards Warehouse Otsela VI - Moon 13 - Ishukone Corporation Factory'; my $regex = qr/(.+) ([IVXLC]*)(?: \(.+\))? (?:- Moon (\d+) )?- (Doomheim|Pann's Peeps|Polaris Bug Hunters|Polaris Corporation|Polaris Events|24th Imperial Crusade|Amarr Certified News|Amarr Civil Service|Amarr Constructions|Amarr Navy|Amarr Templars|Amarr Trade Registry|Ametat Security|Ardishapur Family|Bragian Order|Carthum Conglomerate|Civic Court|Company of Marcher Lords|Court Chamberlain|Ducia Foundry|Emperor Family|Fraternity of St\. Venefice|Further Foodstuffs|Hedion University|Holdfast Syndicate|HZO Refinery|Imperial Academy|Imperial Armaments|Imperial Chancellor|Imperial Guard|Imperial Shipment|Inherent Implants|Joint Harvesting|Kador Family|Kameira Lodge|Kor-Azor Family|Ministry of Assessment|Ministry of Internal Order|Ministry of War|Noble Appliances|Nurtura|Paladin Survey Force|Red and Silver Hand|Royal Amarr Institute|Royal Uhlans|Sarum Family|Shining Flame|Tal-Romon Legion|Tash-Murkon Family|Theology Council|Viziam|Zoar and Sons|Ammatar Consulate|Ammatar Fleet|Nefantar Miner Association|Archangels|Dominations|Guardian Angels|Salvation Angels|Blood Raiders|Caldari Business Tribunal|Caldari Constructions|Caldari Funds Unlimited|Caldari Navy|Caldari Provisions|Caldari Steel|CBD Corporation|CBD Sell Division|Chief Executive Panel|Commando Perkone|Corporate Police Force|Deep Core Mining Inc\.|Echelon Entertainment|Expert Distribution|Expert Housing|Expert Intervention|Home Guard|House of Records|Hyasyoda Corporation|Ikomari-Onu Enforcement|Intara Direct Action|Internal Security|Ishukone Corporation|Ishukone Watch|Isuuaya Tactical|Kaalakiota Corporation|Kinsho Swords|Kirkinen Risk Control|Lai Dai Corporation|Lai Dai Protection Service|Mercantile Club|Minedrill|Modern Finances|Nugoeihuvi Corporation|Onikanabo Brigade|Osmon Surveillance|Peace and Order Unit|Perkone|Poksu Mineral Group|Prompt Delivery|Propel Dynamics|Rapid Assembly|School of Applied Knowledge|Science and Trade Institute|Seituoda Taskforce Command|Spacelane Patrol|State and Region Bank|State Peacekeepers|State Protectorate|State War Academy|Storm Wind Strikeforce|Sukuuvestaa Corporation|Templis Dragonaurs|Top Down|Wiyrkomi Corporation|Wiyrkomi Peace Corps|Ytiri|Zainou|Zero-G Research Firm|Zumari Force Projection|CONCORD|DED|Inner Circle|Secure Commerce Commission|Vigilant Tyrannos|Algintal Core|Aliastra|Allotek Industries|Astral Mining Inc\.|Bank of Luminaire|Center for Advanced Studies|Chatelain Rapid Response|Chemal Tech|Combined Harvest|Condotta Rouvenor|CreoDron|Crux Special Tasks Group|Duvolle Laboratories|Edimmu Warfighters|Egonics Inc\.|Federal Administration|Federal Defense Union|Federal Freight|Federal Intelligence Office|Federal Marines|Federal Navy Academy|Federation Customs|Federation Navy|FedMart|Garoun Investment Bank|Impetus|Inner Zone Shipping|Kang Lo Directorate|Mannar Focused Warfare|Material Acquisition|Namtar Elite|Ostrakon Agency|Pend Insurance|Poteque Pharmaceuticals|President|Quafe Company|Resheph Interstellar Strategy|Roden Shipyards|Senate|Sinq Laison Gendarmes|Supreme Court|The Scope|TransStellar Shipping|University of Caille|Villore Sec Ops|Guristas|Guristas Production|Academy of Aggressive Behaviour|Genolution|Impro|Jove Navy|Jovian Directorate|Material Institute|Prosper|Shapeset|X-Sense|Khanid Innovation|Khanid Transport|Khanid Works|Royal Khanid Navy|Boundless Creation|Brutor Tribe|Brutor Vanguard|Circle of Huskarl|Core Complexion Inc\.|Eifyr and Co\.|Eyniletti Rangers|Forty-Nine Fedayeen|Freedom Extension|Krullefor Organization|Krusual Covert Operators|Krusual Tribe|Mikramurka Shock Troop|Minmatar Mining Corporation|Native Freshfood|Pator Tech School|Republic Command|Republic Fleet|Republic Justice Department|Republic Military School|Republic Parliament|Republic Security Services|Republic University|Sanmatar Kelkoons|Sebiestor Field Sappers|Sebiestor Tribe|Seykal Expeditionary Group|Six Kin Development|The Leisure Group|Tribal Liberation Force|Tronhadar Free Guard|Urban Management|Vherokior Combat Logistics|Vherokior Tribe|Mordu's Legion|Outer Ring Development|Outer Ring Excavations|Outer Ring Prospecting|True Creations|True Power|Serpentis Corporation|Serpentis Inquest|Food Relief|Sisters of EVE|The Sanctuary|InterBus|Society of Conscious Thought|Intaki Bank|Intaki Commerce|Intaki Space Police|Intaki Syndicate|Thukker Mix|Trust Partners|Arkombine)/p; if ( $str =~ /$regex/g ) { print "Whole match is ${^MATCH} and its start/end positions can be obtained via \$-[0] and \$+[0]\n"; # print "Capture Group 1 is $1 and its start/end positions can be obtained via \$-[1] and \$+[1]\n"; # print "Capture Group 2 is $2 ... and so on\n"; } # ${^POSTMATCH} and ${^PREMATCH} are also available with the use of '/p' # Named capture groups can be called via $+{name}

Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for Perl, please visit: http://perldoc.perl.org/perlre.html