How Can I Use Regular Expressions to Match an Exact String Like 'Red October'?

Regular Expressions for Exact String Matches

Precisely matching a string using regular expressions is essential for many applications. This guide demonstrates how to match the exact string "Red October," avoiding partial matches like "The Hunt for Red October."

The solution utilizes a simple yet powerful regular expression:

<code>^Red October$</code>

Breakdown:

• ^: This anchor matches the beginning of the string. It ensures the match starts at the very first character.
• Red October: This is the literal string you're searching for. The case sensitivity depends on your regex engine's settings (many allow case-insensitive matching via flags).
• $: This anchor matches the end of the string. It guarantees that the match extends to the very last character.

This combined approach ensures an exact match—only strings that are exactly "Red October" will be found. Any additional characters before or after "Red October" will result in a non-match.

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