search
HomeBackend DevelopmentPHP TutorialPHP regular expression capturing groups and non-capturing groups (detailed explanation), php regular expression_PHP tutorial

PHP regular expression capturing group and non-capturing group (detailed explanation), PHP regular expression

regular expression is often used in the project development process, it can be said that it can be regular Expressions are the most basic requirement for every programmer. Beginners find it difficult when they first come into contact with regular expressions. Recently, I benefited a lot from reading "PHP Regular Expressions" written by a friend on his blog. I was very interested in wildcards and capturing data in the chapter. These two chapters happen to also cover the content of capturing groups and non-capturing groups of regular expressions, so as to analyze this content

We know that in regular expressions (x) means matching 'x' and recording the matching value. This is just a popular way of saying it, or even a loose way of saying it. Only the () capture group form will record matching values. Non-capturing groups only match but do not record.

 Capture group:

 (pattern)

This form is the one we see most. It matches and returns the capture results. It can be nested. The group numbers are arranged in sequence from left to right.

Copy code The code is as follows:
$regex = '/(ab(c) ) d(e)?/';
$str = 'abccde';
$matches = array();

if(preg_match($regex, $str, $matches)){
Print_r($matches);
}

Matching results:

Copy code The code is as follows:
Array ( [0] => abccde [1] => abcc [2] => c [3] => e )
​(?Ppattern)

Although this method looks slightly more complicated when constructing regular expressions, it is essentially the same as (pattern). The biggest advantage is reflected in the processing of results. Programmers can directly and quickly call the results based on the they set, without having to count the subgroups in which the required results are located.


Copy code The code is as follows:
$regex = '/(?Pw(?Pw))abc(?Pw)45/';

$str = 'fsabcd45';
$matches = array();

if(preg_match($regex, $str, $matches)){
Print_r($matches);
}

Matching results:

Copy code The code is as follows:
Array ( [0] => fsabcd45 [group1] => fs [1] => fs [group2] => s [2] => s [group3] => d [3] => d )
num

Num is an integer and a back reference to the capturing group. For example, 2 represents the matching value of the second subgroup, and represents the matching value of the first subgroup


Copy code The code is as follows:
$regex = '/(w)(w)21/';
$str = 'abba';
$matches = array();

if(preg_match($regex, $str, $matches)){
Print_r($matches);
}

Matching results:

Copy code The code is as follows:
Array ( [0] => abba [1] => a [2] => b )

Note that I overlooked a small detail here. My first code at the beginning was $regex = “/(w)(w)21/”; returned no matching result. After debugging, I found Only ' ' can be used here. You still need to pay attention to the usage difference between ' and ".

 k


After understanding (?Ppattern) and num, this is not difficult to understand. k is a back reference to the named capture group. where name is the capture group name.


Copy code The code is as follows:
$regex='/(?Pw)abck/';

$str="fabcf";

echo preg_match_all($regex, $str,$matches);

print_r($matches);

Matching results:

Copy code The code is as follows:
Array ( [0] => Array ( [0] => fabcf ) [name] => Array ( [0] => f ) [1] => Array ( [0] => f ) )

Non-capturing group:

 (?:pattern)

The only difference from (pattern) is that it matches pattern but does not capture the matching result. No more examples will be given here.

There are four other methods that actually talk about the same thing: pre-checking.

Pre-checking is divided into forward pre-checking and reverse pre-checking. According to the literal understanding, forward lookup is to determine whether certain characters behind the matching string exist or not, while reverse lookup is to determine whether certain characters before the matching string exist or not.

Forward pre-check determines whether there is a use (?=pattern), or whether there is a use (?!pattern).

Reverse pre-check determines whether there is a use (?

Copy code The code is as follows:
$regx='/(?
$str="abcd ebcd abce ebca";

if(preg_match_all($regx, $str, $matches)){

Print_r($matches);
}

Matching results:

Copy code The code is as follows:
Array ( [0] => Array ( [0] => bc) )

Whether to use these four forms, just pay attention to the position of the relative matching string and whether the assertion is positive or negative, and you will quickly master it.

In addition, the four forms of pre-checking are zero-width. Only one judgment is made when matching, and it does not occupy any position. /HE(?=L)LLO/ matches HELLO, but /HE(?=L)LO/ does not match HELLO. After all, the two do not match in terms of number of bytes. The former has only 4, while the latter has 5.

The above is the entire content of the detailed explanation of regular expression capturing groups and non-capturing groups in PHP. I hope it can enlighten you.

www.bkjia.comtruehttp: //www.bkjia.com/PHPjc/1039188.htmlTechArticlePHP regular expression capturing group and non-capturing group (detailed explanation), PHP regular expression in the project development process Regular expressions are often used. It can be said that regular expressions are the most basic for every programmer...
Statement
The content of this article is voluntarily contributed by netizens, and the copyright belongs to the original author. This site does not assume corresponding legal responsibility. If you find any content suspected of plagiarism or infringement, please contact admin@php.cn
The Continued Use of PHP: Reasons for Its EnduranceThe Continued Use of PHP: Reasons for Its EnduranceApr 19, 2025 am 12:23 AM

What’s still popular is the ease of use, flexibility and a strong ecosystem. 1) Ease of use and simple syntax make it the first choice for beginners. 2) Closely integrated with web development, excellent interaction with HTTP requests and database. 3) The huge ecosystem provides a wealth of tools and libraries. 4) Active community and open source nature adapts them to new needs and technology trends.

PHP and Python: Exploring Their Similarities and DifferencesPHP and Python: Exploring Their Similarities and DifferencesApr 19, 2025 am 12:21 AM

PHP and Python are both high-level programming languages ​​that are widely used in web development, data processing and automation tasks. 1.PHP is often used to build dynamic websites and content management systems, while Python is often used to build web frameworks and data science. 2.PHP uses echo to output content, Python uses print. 3. Both support object-oriented programming, but the syntax and keywords are different. 4. PHP supports weak type conversion, while Python is more stringent. 5. PHP performance optimization includes using OPcache and asynchronous programming, while Python uses cProfile and asynchronous programming.

PHP and Python: Different Paradigms ExplainedPHP and Python: Different Paradigms ExplainedApr 18, 2025 am 12:26 AM

PHP is mainly procedural programming, but also supports object-oriented programming (OOP); Python supports a variety of paradigms, including OOP, functional and procedural programming. PHP is suitable for web development, and Python is suitable for a variety of applications such as data analysis and machine learning.

PHP and Python: A Deep Dive into Their HistoryPHP and Python: A Deep Dive into Their HistoryApr 18, 2025 am 12:25 AM

PHP originated in 1994 and was developed by RasmusLerdorf. It was originally used to track website visitors and gradually evolved into a server-side scripting language and was widely used in web development. Python was developed by Guidovan Rossum in the late 1980s and was first released in 1991. It emphasizes code readability and simplicity, and is suitable for scientific computing, data analysis and other fields.

Choosing Between PHP and Python: A GuideChoosing Between PHP and Python: A GuideApr 18, 2025 am 12:24 AM

PHP is suitable for web development and rapid prototyping, and Python is suitable for data science and machine learning. 1.PHP is used for dynamic web development, with simple syntax and suitable for rapid development. 2. Python has concise syntax, is suitable for multiple fields, and has a strong library ecosystem.

PHP and Frameworks: Modernizing the LanguagePHP and Frameworks: Modernizing the LanguageApr 18, 2025 am 12:14 AM

PHP remains important in the modernization process because it supports a large number of websites and applications and adapts to development needs through frameworks. 1.PHP7 improves performance and introduces new features. 2. Modern frameworks such as Laravel, Symfony and CodeIgniter simplify development and improve code quality. 3. Performance optimization and best practices further improve application efficiency.

PHP's Impact: Web Development and BeyondPHP's Impact: Web Development and BeyondApr 18, 2025 am 12:10 AM

PHPhassignificantlyimpactedwebdevelopmentandextendsbeyondit.1)ItpowersmajorplatformslikeWordPressandexcelsindatabaseinteractions.2)PHP'sadaptabilityallowsittoscaleforlargeapplicationsusingframeworkslikeLaravel.3)Beyondweb,PHPisusedincommand-linescrip

How does PHP type hinting work, including scalar types, return types, union types, and nullable types?How does PHP type hinting work, including scalar types, return types, union types, and nullable types?Apr 17, 2025 am 12:25 AM

PHP type prompts to improve code quality and readability. 1) Scalar type tips: Since PHP7.0, basic data types are allowed to be specified in function parameters, such as int, float, etc. 2) Return type prompt: Ensure the consistency of the function return value type. 3) Union type prompt: Since PHP8.0, multiple types are allowed to be specified in function parameters or return values. 4) Nullable type prompt: Allows to include null values ​​and handle functions that may return null values.

See all articles

Hot AI Tools

Undresser.AI Undress

Undresser.AI Undress

AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover

AI Clothes Remover

Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Undress AI Tool

Undress AI Tool

Undress images for free

Clothoff.io

Clothoff.io

AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap

Video Face Swap

Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Tools

SublimeText3 English version

SublimeText3 English version

Recommended: Win version, supports code prompts!

VSCode Windows 64-bit Download

VSCode Windows 64-bit Download

A free and powerful IDE editor launched by Microsoft

SAP NetWeaver Server Adapter for Eclipse

SAP NetWeaver Server Adapter for Eclipse

Integrate Eclipse with SAP NetWeaver application server.

SublimeText3 Linux new version

SublimeText3 Linux new version

SublimeText3 Linux latest version

Dreamweaver CS6

Dreamweaver CS6

Visual web development tools