# Making regex great again

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Php's built in `preg_*` functions require some odd patterns like passing variables by reference and treating `false` or `null` values as errors. `spatie/regex` provides a cleaner interface for `preg_match`, `preg_match_all`, `preg_replace` and `preg_replace_callback`.

```php
use Spatie\Regex\Regex;

Regex::match('/a/', 'abc'); // `MatchResult` object
Regex::match('/a/', 'abc')->hasMatch(); // true
Regex::match('/a/', 'abc')->result(); // 'a'

Regex::match('/a(b)/', 'abc')->result(); // 'ab'
Regex::match('/a(b)/', 'abc')->group(1); // 'b'

Regex::match('/a(b)/', 'xyz')->resultOr('default'); // 'default'
Regex::match('/a(b)/', 'xyz')->groupOr(1, 'default'); // 'default'

Regex::matchAll('/a/', 'abcabc')->hasMatch(); // true
Regex::matchAll('/a/', 'abcabc')->results(); // Array of `MatchResult` objects

Regex::replace('/a/', 'b', 'abc')->result(); // 'bbc';
Regex::replace('/a/', function (MatchResult $result) {
    return $result->result() . 'Hello!';
}, 'abc')->result(); // 'aHello!bc';
```

Spatie is a webdesign agency based in Antwerp, Belgium. You'll find an overview of all our open source projects [on our website](https://spatie.be/opensource).


[<img src="https://github-ads.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/regex.jpg?t=1" width="419px" />](https://spatie.be/github-ad-click/regex)

We invest a lot of resources into creating [best in class open source packages](https://spatie.be/open-source). You can support us by [buying one of our paid products](https://spatie.be/open-source/support-us).

We highly appreciate you sending us a postcard from your hometown, mentioning which of our package(s) you are using. You'll find our address on [our contact page](https://spatie.be/about-us). We publish all received postcards on [our virtual postcard wall](https://spatie.be/open-source/postcards).


You can install the package via composer:

``` bash
composer require spatie/regex
```



Matches a pattern on a subject. Returns a `MatchResult` object for the first match.

```php
/**
 * @param string $pattern
 * @param string $subject
 *
 * @return \Spatie\Regex\MatchResult
 */
Regex::match(string $pattern, string $subject): MatchResult
```


Checks if the pattern matches the subject.

```php
Regex::match('/abc/', 'abc')->hasMatch(); // true
Regex::match('/def/', 'abc')->hasMatch(); // false
```


Return the full match that was made. Returns `null` if no match was made.

```php
Regex::match('/abc/', 'abc')->result(); // 'abc'
Regex::match('/def/', 'abc')->result(); // null
```


Return the contents of a captured group (with a 1-based index). Throws a `RegexFailed` exception if the group doesn't exist.

```php
Regex::match('/a(b)c/', 'abc')->group(1); // 'b'
Regex::match('/a(b)c/', 'abc')->group(2); // `RegexFailed` exception
```


Matches a pattern on a subject. Returns a `MatchAllResult` object containing all matches.

```php
/**
 * @param string $pattern
 * @param string $subject
 *
 * @return \Spatie\Regex\MatchAllResult
 */
public static function matchAll(string $pattern, string $subject): MatchAllResult
```


Checks if the pattern matches the subject.

```php
Regex::matchAll('/abc/', 'abc')->hasMatch(); // true
Regex::matchAll('/abc/', 'abcabc')->hasMatch(); // true
Regex::matchAll('/def/', 'abc')->hasMatch(); // false
```


Returns an array of `MatchResult` objects.

```php
$results = Regex::matchAll('/ab([a-z])/', 'abcabd')->results();

$results[0]->result(); // 'abc'
$results[0]->group(1); // 'c'
$results[1]->result(); // 'abd'
$results[1]->group(1); // 'd'
```


Replaces a pattern in a subject. Returns a `ReplaceResult` object.

```php
/**
 * @param string|array $pattern
 * @param string|array|callable $replacement
 * @param string|array $subject
 * @param int $limit
 *
 * @return \Spatie\Regex\ReplaceResult
 */
public static function replace($pattern, $replacement, $subject, $limit = -1): ReplaceResult
```


```php
Regex::replace('/a/', 'b', 'abc')->result(); // 'bbc'
```

`Regex::replace` also works with callables. The callable will receive a `MatchResult` instance as it's argument.

```php
Regex::replace('/a/', function (MatchResult $matchResult) {
    return str_repeat($matchResult->result(), 2);
}, 'abc')->result(); // 'aabc'
```

Patterns, replacements and subjects can also be arrays. `Regex::replace` behaves exactly like [`preg_replace`](http://php.net/manual/en/function.preg-replace.php) in those instances.


If anything goes wrong in a `Regex` method, a `RegexFailed` exception gets thrown. No need for checking `preg_last_error()`.


``` bash
$ composer test
```


Please see [CHANGELOG](CHANGELOG.md) for more information on what has changed recently.


Please see [CONTRIBUTING](.github/CONTRIBUTING.md) for details.


Please review [our security policy](../../security/policy) on how to report security vulnerabilities.


You're free to use this package, but if it makes it to your production environment we highly appreciate you sending us a postcard from your hometown, mentioning which of our package(s) you are using.

Our address is: Spatie, Kruikstraat 22, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium.

We publish all received postcards [on our company website](https://spatie.be/en/opensource/postcards).


- [Sebastian De Deyne](https://github.com/sebastiandedeyne)
- [All Contributors](../../contributors)


The MIT License (MIT). Please see [License File](LICENSE.md) for more information.
