[Resolved] regexp problem with lazy quantifier

[Kinniken]

Hi, I am trying to use the eregi_replace function in a forum I am creating to handle some vB code. Focusing on the and [/b ] tags, I first tried this:

$text2 = eregi_replace('()[b](.+)[\/b]()',"\1<b>\2</b>\3",$text2);

Which "works", but pairs the first with the last [/b ] of the post. I read on the net that what I was supposed to use was a lazy quantifier like +? instead of +, that would match the first [/b ] instead of the last. However, the resulting regexp:

$text2 = eregi_replace('()[b](.+?)[\/b]()',"\1<b>\2</b>\3",$text2);

turns $text2 in an empty string... I've tried various combinations, and I always get the same result. Any ideas?

TIA,

Kinniken

[Weedpacket]

That's because the ereg functions (as noted on the [man]regex[/man] manual page in a box at the top, along with other drawbacks in functionality) don't recognise ungreedy quantifiers. As it suggests, use preg_replace() instead.

[Kinniken]

I feel stupid... Should have read the help more closely :o

I switched to preg_replace() and it now works fine. Thanks.