getting info between ( and )

[cmptrwhz]

I need some help on a problem that is driving me nuts!

I have a database that is returning Medications for a pharmacy. The $Brand_Name variable is what is linked to this info. Inside some of the $Brand_Name variables is the text (without the quotes) " - Generic (This is the generic drug name)"

I can retrieve the $Brand_Name no problem, but have not yet been able to figure out how to get just what is in the parenthesis and after - Generic, as some on the Brand_Name variables also contain parenthesis that are not Generics.

Basically it's like this :

$Brand_Name="Aventyl - Generic (Nortriptyline Hcl)(Apo)";

All I want is the "Nortriptyline Hcl"

Please remember that the - Generic ( will not always be right after the Brand name of the drug, it may be at the end of the line, but still within the $Brand_Name variable.

How can I do it?

Thanks in Advance..

Mike

[tsinka]

Hi,

you can use preg_match_all, example:

$theString="blu blab Generic (aha123)(ahb)3";

if ($cnt = preg_match_all("/Generic \\((\\w*)\\)/",$theString,$theArray,PREG_SET_ORDER)) {

   $count=0;

   for($i=0;$i<$cnt;$i++) {
      echo $theArray[$i][1]."<br>\n";

  echo "<br>\n";
   }
}

The above coude works even if Generic (???) appears more than once. Alternatively you can use preg_match if you want to find the first occurence of Generic (???). The code above has to be modified a little bit for that 🙂

[CCDemonX]

Use regular expression to take a certain part out of your variable. In this case:
<?php
$Brand_Name="Aventyl - Generic (Nortriptyline Hcl)(Apo)";
$pattern = "/Generic (([a-zA-Z0-9^.+%,_:'=`! ]+))/";
if(preg_match($pattern,$Brand_Name,$regs)) echo $regs[1];
?>

Edit: backspace symbol doesnt seem to be working. Ill take off the php tags.

[tsinka]

Hi,

my regular expression does not find characters like $, use CCDemonX's expression if there are any non word characters between the brackets.

[cmptrwhz]

How would I use it in a while loop for the entries if I am searching for the Brand_Name

For Example, please use the URL : http://www.cmmeds.com/test.php?Brand_Name=e

As you can see, I am searching by Brand Name or part of brand name and retrieving records. Some have Generics, and some do not.

Do I just need to clear out the array at the end of my while loop?

Thanks.

Mike

[CCDemonX]

Originally posted by cmptrwhz
How would I use it in a while loop for the entries if I am searching for the Brand_Name

For Example, please use the URL : http://www.cmmeds.com/test.php?Brand_Name=e

As you can see, I am searching by Brand Name or part of brand name and retrieving records. Some have Generics, and some do not.

Do I just need to clear out the array at the end of my while loop?

Thanks.

Mike

Well, im supposing in your while loop you define a variable with the name of each product, just rename $Brand_Name with the name of that varible. Do this inside the while loop so you check every single product. If it finds a match it will echo out the name.

<?php
$your_var="Aventyl - Generic (Nortriptyline Hcl)(Apo)";
$pattern = "/Generic (([a-zA-Z0-9^.+%,_:'=`! ]+))/";
if(preg_match($pattern,$your_var,$regs)) echo $regs[1];
?>

[cmptrwhz]

Never mind.. I figured it out.. I asked the question too soon 😃

But I do have another question.. CCDemonX.. is there a way to get the eregs to return both items in the parenthesis? It is only bringing back the first word, and not the second?

Ex.. "Nortriptyline", what's needed -- "Nortriptyline Hcl"

Thanks for all your help..

Mike

[CCDemonX]

I just tested out my script and it echos out:
Nortriptyline Hcl

Are you sure your pattern is correct?

[tsinka]

Hi,

you might have forgotten the space after the ! in the regular expression.

[cmptrwhz]

I was trying to use the Generic Name in a URL.. and forgot the ' on the end..

Thank you for all your help.. Can I ask one more thing?

Let's say that I also wanted to remove the - Generic from the line after it was found so that all of the lines display the same. How can I do it?

Thanks again.

Mike