[Justcrapx]

I was wondering how to make sure that there are no special chars included in a string like " ^ $ # " which i dont want people to use in their nicknames. In other words, how can i make sure that they only use english characters and numbers. I have tried to figure it out on PHP documentation but appears to be too complex for a beginner.

[pradeep]

You have to use Regular Expressions (regex) to filter out bad characters.Checkout the exmaple below.

$string = "Asdsd - sdsd ";
if(!preg_match("/^[\w]+$/",$string))
{
   print("Bad characters found!");
}

[Justcrapx]

Thanks alot! That "regex" syntax is really lookin hard. Hope i can figure it out. There are so many characters to be omitted, so working out the pattern will be something messy i guess.

[pradeep]

That regex only allows alphabets and numbers, do you want to remove the bad characters or just inform the user that he has enter some bad characters in his/her nickname?

[Justcrapx]

I just noticed that the example pattern you've given filters out the entire charz except letters and numbers. Now the question is how to ommit numbers and allow some spesific charz.

[Justcrapx]

What i exactly want is to make users chose their nicknames whic will only match the pattern i set.

[pradeep]

$string = "Asdsd - sdsd ";
 if(!preg_match("/^[A-Za-z0-9-._]+$/",$string)) //see here I allowed -,_ and .
 {
    print("Bad characters found!");
 }

[Justcrapx]

Wow, i guess i now got it. Thank you very much pradeep. I love php =).

[pradeep]

Me too! Keep posting, about your problems discoveries and inventions.