Regular Expresssions

[JohnLee]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know anything about regular expressions, how to create them and use them.

I'm working on a project and it has been suggested that I get to know and use regular expressions, problem is I haven't been able to find anything that explains them in plain english.

If anyone can help with this, I would be most grateful

John

 

[DCrake]

Try RTFM()

 

[JohnLee]

Hi DCrake,

What is RTFM()? how is this supposed to help me obtain the information about regular expressions that I am seeking.

Cheers

John

 

[Banana]

When you say 'regular expressions', I think of UNIX's grep. Windows doesn't provide the functionality out of box, though I'm sure if you look for it, you can find a library that provides the functionality. Just in case if you're using UNIX or at least has Cygwin on Windows, 'man grep' at the prompt is a good starting point.

What do you want to use it for?

 

[JohnLee]

Hi Banana,

I'm not using Unix, I'm working on a project that uses C# and VB. As my knowledge of C# and VB is limited and I've never come across regular expressions before, and having been told by the vendor that I need to understand and start using regular expressions, and having done some searching to find some plain english about what regular expressions are and do with no luck, I thought this being such a good site for assistance in my access database projects that perhaps someone might have the knowledge to assist me on this subject.

The burning question is, how complicated is the subject and is there an easy way of understanding the power of regular expressions.

John

 

[DCrake]

Try here for starters
Regular Expressions

BTW RTFM is an acronym for Read The F**king Manual (I was being synical).

David

 

[Banana]

Being only familiar of regular expression as implemented on Unix, I can't say for sure if Windows' implementation is anything same. In that case, I'd just go over to Codeplex or Devshed and do a search for regular expression implemented in C# or VB.

 

[Rabbie]

RTFM = Read The Flipping Manual. Feel free to use other values for the F word.

It might be a good idea to try googling for this sort of information.

Here are some links that may be helpful http://www.regular-expressions.info/tutorial.html

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=127300

 

[JohnLee]

Thanks Rabbie

John