Multiple Line text replacment

[cyberfez]

I have a conf file(httpd.conf) and wish to open the file look for a multiple line config (virtual host setting) and either edit, replace or delete the text.

I know how to add a virtual host to the file via php but I dont know how to get the script to find say an exist out of date setting and delete everything out for a removal of a virtual host.

To explain what I need have a look at the following. I have a text file httpd.conf with the following lines somewhere within it.

#virtualhost setting for theseen
<VirtualHost 150.101.238.50>
ServerAdmin [e-mail]
DocumentRoot /home/theseen/public_html
ServerName www.theseen.dhs.org
ServerAlias theseen.dhs.org
ErrorLog /home/theseen/logs/error_log
CustomLog /home/theseen/logs/access_log common
Options All
</VirtualHost>
#endofhost

I would like to search for the line "#virtualhost setting for theseen" then search for the ending "#endofhost" and delete all text in between.

A did see something like this in a code snippet but I cant find it.

Any help will be appreciated
Cyberfez

[Anon]

$vhost='theseen';

$conf=preg_replace("/#virtualhost setting for $vhost.*?#endofhost/s", "#virtualhost setting for $vhost\n#endofhost", $conf);

The crucial part is the 's' on the end of the regexp; that tells the regexp engine to treat a newline as an ordinary character for purposes of matching with '.'.

The '?' is there in case there are multiple #virtualhosts listed. That matching will stop when it its the first #endofhost, not just keep going until it finds the last.

And note I've left you with:

#virtualhost setting for theseen
#endofhost

[cyberfez]

Thanks heaps I cant wait to try it out! Thanks G for the speedy response!

Cyberfez