eregi() question - quotes maybe?

tony_l

Ok, I am trying to make my life easier by constructing a SIMPLE script I can run locally here to test out my regular expressions.

I code it up, try it out and it does not work - it ALWAYS returns false.

Could someone look at my code and tell me where I am going wrong?

I thought it was the fact that my variables are stored in the $POST array, but when I do a print_r on the $POST, it prints out fine.

Where did I go astray?

IF(isset($_POST['submit']))
{

//set parameters and
//break string into tokens
$feederPattern = $_POST['expression'];

$flag = "FALSE";
$valueArray = str_split($_POST['stringy']);
$length = count($valueArray);

FOR($i = 0; $i < $length; $i++)
{

if(eregi('$feederPattern',"$valueArray[$i]"))
{
	$flag = "TRUE";
}//end if

PRINT("{$valueArray[$i]}....Using Pattern $feederPattern....$flag<br />");

$flag = "FALSE";

}//end for loop



}//end if

PRINT("
<form method = 'post' action = 'reg_test.php'>

<h3>Regular Expression Tester</h3>

Regular Expression:<input type = 'text' name = 'expression' size = '45'>
<br /><br />
Check This String:<input type = 'text' name = 'stringy' size = '45'>
<br /><br />
<input type = 'submit' name = 'submit' value = 'CHECK'>
</form>



");

Installer

Unless you're actually testing one character at a time, you may want to re-read the manual entry for str_split(). You should also take another look at the effects of single and double quotations on strings.

tony_l

I want it to split the string into characters - yes one at a time. This is how I am testing the script for now, I will split it into larger chunks as we progress with the regular expression.

As for reading up on quotes, I have. If I am missing something - obviously I am using it wrong somewhere.

I would appreciate some help here, which does not include getting on here and telling someone to go read something. I am not asking for someone to write the thing for me - obviously I have already done that. Why are there a select few of us on here that when they see someone needing help, we help, while the rest quote the same things - "read up on...". That was a wonderful response - Why I did not think of it I will never know! If someone has already "read up" on something, then they are not getting it. If this is the case (such as mine obviously) then why in the makers name can you not just say what it is I am doing wrong?

It is the same as if you asked someone how to spell a word you are completely unfamiliar with and their reply is "look it up in the dictionary" - A lot of help that will do.

dougal85


if(eregi('$feederPattern',"$valueArray[$i]"))

You cant have single quotes around a variable. ortherwise it will output the variable name, not its contents.


$msg = "World!";

echo "Hello $msg";
// OK, outputs "Hello World!"

echo 'Hello $msg';
// Not OK, outputs 'Hello $msg'

Installer

Single quotes cause the quoted material to be interpreted literally. Double quotes will cause variables to be expanded. In this:

eregi('$feederPattern',"$valueArray[$i]")

you're passing $feederPattern not as a variable holding the string, but as the string itself (btw, the double quotes around $valueArray[$i] serve no purpose).

tony_l

But when I read the documentation for the eregi function it stated explicitly to enclose the pattern in single quotes - for the reaons you list. I guess they were not expecting someone to stick a variable in there. 🙁

As for the double quote - have no clue why I did it that way - I think I was testing everything under the sun.

I will redo that and see what happens

and THANK YOU! I really do appreciate the guidance. Sorry I got tensed up there before. I had been trying to get this script to work for an hour - and I get frustrated when I spend too much time on one silly thing.