PHP ereg syntax problem 1

[ShugNiggurath]

Hi,

I have the following code:

		if (!ereg('^[a-z_]$', '$sec')) {
		// failed url validation
		echo "You are not allowed to access this page in that way";
		} else {

$sec is a variable passed in the URL that I want to make sure is only lowercase letters or underscore, the above code fails any variable passed in the URL whether valid or not, and if I take out the !NOT operator, the reverse happens.

I've also tried the following versions:

		if (!ereg('^[a-z_]+$', '$sec')) {
		// failed url validation
		echo "You are not allowed to access this page in that way";
		} else {	


		if (!ereg('[a-z_]', '$sec')) {
		// failed url validation
		echo "You are not allowed to access this page in that way";
		} else {

and also without the underscores while testing.

I just can't see what I'm doing wrong. A pint in it for anyone who can help!

Cheers in advance,

Hugh

 

[feherke]

Hi

Use your second code and do not enclose the variable name in single quotes ( ' ) :

if (!ereg('^[a-z_]+$', $sec)) {

Read here about quotes : "Strings".

Feherke.

http://rootshell.be/~feherke/

 

[ShugNiggurath]

Thank you Feherke, it's a doddle when you spot it. I've been toying with the pattern that long I don't even think I was looking at the string.

Wood for trees!

Cheers

H