preg_match to validate form

[ontheplains]

i have never before used the preg_match feature, though i will have to use it for this project.  i am making a madlib on my page and the values that people input into the fields need to meet a certain criteria:    i need to create a function that will check the 4 text inputs. each one must consist of a single word (i.e. no spaces and no extra punctuation such as periods or commas). the first letter may be capitalized (but not other letters). dashes should be allowed after the first letter, provided that you do not end with a dash. each word must be at least 2 characters long.

 

the code for the input goes as such:

 

<p class="centerwindow">
<form name="form1" action="madlib.php">

<p class="centerwindow">I want to do madlib number:<input type="radio" checked="checked" name="madlib" onClick="document.form1.noun3.disabled=false;document.form1.verb1.disabl ed=false" value="1" />1<input type="radio" name="madlib" onClick="document.form1.noun3.disabled=false;document.form1.verb1.disabl ed=false" value="2" />2<input type="radio" name="madlib" onClick="document.form1.noun3.disabled=false;document.form1.verb1.disabl ed=false" value="3" />3<input type="radio" name="madlib" onClick="document.form1.noun3.disabled=true;document.form1.verb1.disable d=true;document.form1.noun3.value='';document.form1.verb1.value='';" value="4" />4

<ol class="centerwindow">
<li> A noun (plural):</li>  <input type="text" name="noun1" />
<li> A noun:</li>  <input type="text" name="noun2" />
<li> A noun:</li>  <input type="text" name="noun3" />
<li> A verb (ending in 'ing'):</li>  <input type="text" name="verb1" />
</ol>

[benjaminbeazy]

i'm not sure you want to use preg_match, preg_match matches patterns so if the user input matches the pattern more than once, i.e. 2 words. it wouldn't be caught...

 

eregi may work better for you...

 

//check for input atleast 2 letters + ending in "ing", no spaces, only letters
if(!eregi("^([a-z]{2,})ing$", $test)) {
    echo "test invalid<br>";
}

//check for input atleast 2 letters, no spaces, only letters
if(!eregi("^([a-z]{2,})$", $test)) {
    echo "test invalid<br>";
}

[ontheplains]

you'd have to ask my teacher - i'm really not sure myself, especially not after trying to get it to work all day.  i'll have to ask him why he chose preg_match.

 

if anyone else has any thoughts, let me know.  thank you!