regular expression

[jdluk87]

Hi,

i should check if a username ($username) is like unix, so this username must start with a char, contains max 16 chars, all tiny and in general can contains just chars, numbers, and dot.

all this with the use of regular expression.

someone can help me?

Thanks

[numberwhun]

Sure, we can help you, but you are going to have to do the legwork so that you can learn. Try to write it and if you get stuck, post your code here so that we can see it and help you.

Regards,

Jeff

[jdluk87]

i have a text file with a list of username, one for each row:

jdluk87
1isnotgood
luca.lupo
luca.lupo87
.asd.luca12
asd.sd---er.re

the username ok are number: 1,3,4

the second start with number so it's no good
the fifth start with dot so it's no good
the sisxt contains --- so it's no good,

now if I do from console:

grep '^[a-z][a-z0-9.]{3,16}$' example

where example is name of my file, appear nothing.

if i'll do:

grep '^[a-z][a-z0-9.]' example:

jdluk87
luca.lupo
luca.lupo87
asd.sd---er.re

so so...because appear a substring match such as asd.sd---er.re.

So my problems are two:

1. min and max of string that doesn't work
2. problem with substring match.

Edit/Delete Message

[toolic]

I answered this question on another forum:

http://perlguru.com/gforum.cgi?post=45457;guest=5200072#45457

[chaarmann]

"grep" can only use basic regular expression That means no quantifiers (that you call "min and max of string"). Use "egrep" for full regular expression (or "sed" or "perl").