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Regular expressions - overview

Regular Expression Searches

Using regular expressions to perform searches gives you more control and can yield more precise results.

Some basic syntax for searching by regular expression is described in these sections:

SyntaxGeneral syntax of Perl regular expressions.
Character classesCharacter class names that can be used in a character class expression.
Symbolic namesCharacters' symbolic names that can be used in an equivalent class expression.
ExamplesUsing Regex for global filters, Using Regex for specific filter: Exclude symbols, Using Regex for specific filter: Exclude a string.


How does it work

  • By default in Ytria tools, the operation of filtering, selecting, excluding or including with regular expressions is not exclusive.

For example, if you use the regex Person to filter the following column:


global-features-overview-regex-2

All entries containing 'Person' will be shown. If you want to see only the entries with the exact string Person, you will have to use the regex ^Person$. Therefore the string 'Person Group' will now be ignored, even though it contains the sub-string 'Person'.


global-features-overview-regex-3

  • By default any regex entered is case insensitive. Uppercase and lowercase have no effect unless you enable the Case sensitive checkbox.

Where regex can be used

Ytria tools let you use regular expressions in certain search window. You will have a similar dialog like the following:

global-features-overview-regex-search-1

  • The Database Selection Filter uses regex to Include or Exclude the items that either match or do not match your regex filter.
  • The Filter option uses regex to Include or Exclude design elements to the current selection in the Tree view.
  • In the FlexyView grid, the Filter By Regular Expression option allows you to filter the displayed elements on columns.
  • and more ...


Regular Expression Actions

Regex glossary

regex-glossary-icon
: Click on this icon to find commonly used regex values.

NotePerl regular expression syntax is used in all products. Extensive regular expression tutorials are available at regular-expressions.org.

For further study, a useful online regular expression tester can be found here.



Test button

The regular expression input dialogs include a Test button. If you click the Test button, you're taken to a dialog where you can evaluate and experiment with your regular expressions.

test-your-regular-expression


Regular ExpressionThe regular expression you'd like to test.
String to be testedThe string on which you'd like to test your regular expression.
Replacement (optional)The string replacing the string to be tested.
Replacement resultThis string is displayed when you click on the Test button. It shows the string result after the replacement is applied.
Regular test results and sub-resultsThe first line displays the test main result. The sub lines display the sub-results.
NoteIf your regular expression matches the regex standards when you click on the Test button, you will see the message 'This Regular Expression is well formed'. If not then 'This Regular Expression is not well formed' is displayed.


Regex History

The regex history is shared among all Ytria tools; any modification to the history will be immediately visible in all other Ytria tools.
The regex history is stored in the YtriaRegexHistory.sfd file.
A maximum of 100 valid regular expressions are automatically saved as you enter them in any of the tools.
If you reach this limit, then the most recently entered regular expression will still be saved, but the first in your history (oldest) will be deleted.


Navigating your Regex History

The options located under the Regex field help you to navigate the history of your Regex commands.

regex-commands-1

Displays the next regex entered.

regex-commands-2

Displays the previous regex entered.

regex-commands-3

Displays the last regex entered.

regex-commands-4

Displays the first Regex entered.


Show History

This button will open the Regex History grid.

  • Regex History Grid - Actions and Columns:

    More information about the Grid Actions menu can be found here.

    regex-history


    The Delete button deletes the selected rows in the Regex History.
    The Replace button replaces the current regular expression used in the Regex field by the Regex value selected in the grid. You can also double click a Regex entry on the grid to make this action.

    The Regex History grid includes the following columns:

    ItemCounts the number of regex items in chronological order.
    RegexThe regex value.


    More information about the Grid Columns menu can be found here.


Save Regex

The Save Regex button lets you permanently store regular expressions and name it for an easy recall.

save-regex-regular-expression


You can use the Replace button to replace the current regular expression used in the regex field by any one you highlight from the 'Saved' dialogue.
The Delete button allows you to delete the currently selected Saved Regular Expression (see screenshot above).

NoteThe Save Regular Expression feature stores the information in the "YtriaRegex.sfd" file located in the Notes Data directory. There is no limitation on the number of regular expressions that can be saved here.
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