Stripping non alpha numeric characters

h0ly lag · 12-03-2009, 02:28 AM

This should work correct?

PHP Code:


			
ereg_replace('[^A-Za-z]','', $str);

Because I am using it on a project that I need to strip any characters that are not alpha numeric, or if the string contains dash's or underscores that is ok too. But I can add that in later. I guess my problem is that It's not stripping '^' or '#'. I'm sure there are more characters its letting through. But those are the ones I've noticed so far.

delayedinsanity · 12-03-2009, 04:10 AM

You should avoid using ereg_replace() - the ereg_* set of functions have been deprecated in favor of the PCRE equivalent preg_* set. They're also much slower.

With that out of the way, it should work.

php Code:

$string = 'This $is a #test ~of ^the non-alphanumeric preg_replace';
echo preg_replace( '~[^A-Za-z0-9\s\-_]~', '', $string );

h0ly lag · 12-03-2009, 06:13 AM

Oh dang. I should know that about ereg. I just read that the other day. and thank you very much. I know if I ever have a problem you guys are always super friendly at TalkPHP. :) Thanks again.