simple regex problem

[oracle259]

I have the following code which should work but for some reason it doesnt

Help?

[code]

$max = '25';
$min = '6';

$pattern = "/^[a-zA-Z]{$min,$max}$/";
    $isletter = preg_match($pattern, $username);
          if (!$isletter) {
die ("<b>Program Error:</b>&nbsp;Username should contain only letters and must be between $min to $max characters in lenght.");
}

[/code]

[obsidian]

[quote author=oracle259 link=topic=109990.msg443832#msg443832 date=1159551553]

I have the following code which should work but for some reason it doesnt

Help?

[code]

$max = '25';
$min = '6';

$pattern = "/^[a-zA-Z]{$min,$max}$/";
    $isletter = preg_match($pattern, $username);
          if (!$isletter) {
die ("<b>Program Error:</b>&nbsp;Username should contain only letters and must be between $min to $max characters in lenght.");
}

[/code]
[/quote]

when you use brackets within double quotes, PHP tries to interpret the variable in between, so it is actually dying on the comma between the variables. escape the braces, and you should be good:
[code]
<?php
$min = 6;
$max = 25;
$pattern = "|^[a-z]\{$min,$max\}$|i";
?>
[/code]

[oracle259]

i tried what you said but it still doesnt work any other ideas as to how i can accomplish the same thing

[obsidian]

[quote author=oracle259 link=topic=109990.msg443958#msg443958 date=1159562054]
i tried what you said but it still doesnt work any other ideas as to how i can accomplish the same thing
[/quote]

why don't you show your updated code. i just tested it myself, and it works fine ??? actually, slight alteration in code... something with how the regex engine interprets the brackets, quotes and dollar signs... just jump out of your quotes and do it like this, and you'll be fine
[code]
<?php
$min = 6;
$max = 25;
$pattern = "|^[a-z]{" . $min . "," . $max . "}$|i";
if (isset($_POST['name'])) {
  if (preg_match($pattern, $_POST['name'])) echo "<p class=\"success\">Passed</p>\n";
  else echo "<p class=\"error\">Failed</p>\n";
}

?>
[/code]

[oracle259]

sorry, im just checking back in.

I solved it using the following code


[code]
<?php
$max = '25';
$min = '6';

$pattern = "/^[a-zA-Z]"."{".$min.",".$max."}$/";
    $isletter = preg_match($pattern, $username);
          if (!$isletter) {
die ("<b>Program Error:</b>&nbsp;Username should contain only letters and must be between $min to $max characters in lenght.");
}

?>
[/code]

But from what i see yours would work also

Thanks so much for your help u got me lookin in the right direction.