complex preg_match_all expression

[mlewczuk]

Hello again (today),
few hours ago I wrote about my string parsing problem. I have read some posts, manuals and I've found the answer -> preg_match_all will do the job. Unfortunatelly I have never use this function... I hope that you will help me.

Currently I'm writing template engine for my application. I wasn't satisfied with Smart Template Engine so I decided to write my own.

In template sources webmaster can write something like this:

1. <td><expression="$some_var"></td>
2. <td><expression="urlencode($this_url)"></td>
3. <td><expression="concat('some simple tex', $some_var)"></td>
4. <td><expression="concat('some test', urlencode($this_url))"></td>
5. <td><expression="http://{$erer}/eokoer.html"></td>

And my problem is how to parse expression value to get info about vars, functions etc... All functions have the same structure "name(...)", variables can be like this "$some_var" or "{$some_var}";

I will be appreciated for any help.
Marek

[bobthedog]

Well - a quick and dirty regexp could be something like: -

preg_match_all('/\<expression=\"([^\"]*)\"\>/i', $strString, $arrMatches);

This will fill $arrMatches with the contents of the string between the double quote marks. The obvious problem with the pattern above is that it will not allow for any double quotes within the actual expression whether they are escaped or not. If any one can fix this then I'm sure they will let you know.

Sorry of there is loads of escape charcters in there - I tend to be a bit over careful. Also, I have neglected allowing any space between "expression" and "=" and at the end of the expression - things like that - but maybe you can modify yourself.

Anyhow - hope this points you in the right direction....