How to extract a string with a regexp?

Question

Can I extract the string aaa without using subpatterns (but still using regexp)?

$str = 'abc#aaa#abc';
preg_match('/#(.*)#/', $str, $matches);
print_r($matches);

Update

I'm just trying to figure out some regexp alternatives !

Just to be clear: you want to capt^H^H^H^H get the text between pound sign using a regex rather than substring and indexOf calls, but not use a subpattern? — Ray Toal
– Ray Toal, Commented Aug 3, 2011 at 19:08

Qtax · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-03 18:56:40Z

4

/(?<=#).*?(?=#)/

But why wouldn't you want to use a capturing group?

answered Aug 3, 2011 at 18:56

Qtax

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1 Comment

usually you just need to find a substring and then remove the boundaries

Karolis · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-03 19:33:27Z

1

Alternative to look-ahead / look-behind assertions:

echo preg_replace('/^.*?#|#.*?$/s', '', 'abc#aaa#abc');

answered Aug 3, 2011 at 19:18

Karolis

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