Simple Expressions
This format definition returns a value that corresponds to a simple pattern format.
The following syntax is used:
Special Character |
Description |
---|---|
# |
Represents any number or an O in upper or lower case. For example, ### matches 123 or O01. |
@ |
Represents any uppercase or lowercase alphabetic character. For example, @@@@ matches Love and @# matches U2. |
? |
Represents any alphanumeric character. For example, ?rain matches brain and train. |
‘ ’ |
Indicates a word start or end. For example, ‘ABC’ matches ABC but not ABCD. |
[ ] |
Indicates a number or range of repetitions of the previous character. For example, a[1-2] matches a and aa, and me[1-2] matches met and meet. |
, (comma) or . (period) |
Represents one of the following special characters: .,/\? |
For more complicated patterns, use regular expressions.