variable in regex

[newb]

can someone tell me whats wrong with this code:

	if (preg_match('|movie <a href="/encyclopedia/(.*?)">(.*) \(('.$type.')\)</a><br />$|Ui',$html,$result)) {

 

its not working =// the variable isnt being detected,

[Psycho]

I don't think the problem is your variable - I think it is just the regex expression in general. But, I would suggest:

1) Testing the regex with a hard coded value first to ensure it is working properly, THEN introduce the variable

2) creating the expression as a string variable outside of the actual preg_match. then you can echo the expression to the page for debugging purposes.

 

Without seeing what you are using for the $type there's no way to really know what the problem is. Although I do see some potential problems.

 

1. You use this right after the opening A tag "(.*)". That is a 'greedy' match, so it will likely match more characters than you want since the parser doesn't know when to end. you should probably use the question mark as you do in the previous usage

 

2. You then follow that by a space. Don't know if that is intentional or not.

2.

[newb]

when i test it without a variable the expression works fine...

$type is set to = 'movie'

when i put 'movie' instead of type, it works, but thats not what im trying to fix..

[newb]

anyone?

[newb]

fix