How to use an array and regex as pattern in preg_replace?

Question

So, I have got a preg_replace function that should replace the following pattern: Usernames with an @-character in front of them.

I have got the usernames in a multi dimensonal array called allMembers() and the regex to replace any word with a @-character and spaces around it:

/\B@[a-z-]+\s/

But how do I run the usernames contained in the array through the preg_replace function? So, just one replacement for multiple patterns.

$mentionPattern = "/\B@[ USERNAMES FROM ARRAY ALLMEMBERS HERE ]+\s/";                                
$mentionReplace = "<a class='userMention'>$0</a>";
preg_replace($mentionPattern, $mentionReplace, $text);

Example:

Users on my website: John, Harry, Peter

Whenever someone adds a message like "bla bla @John bla bla", the "@John" part should be replaced by something else. Replacement thus depends on the use of @ and an existing username (that I have inside an array).

Join them in a grouped altern|ative|list, don't forget to preg_quote each. — mario
– mario, Commented Feb 1, 2015 at 15:00

Casimir et Hippolyte · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-01 15:17:25Z

2

A good way is to use preg_replace_callback. The advantage is that you avoid to use a pattern with an alternation that is slow (in particular if you have a lot of users):

$result = preg_replace_callback('~@(\w+)~', function ($m) use ($usernames) {
    return (in_array($usernames, $m[1])) ? '<a ...>' . $m[0] . '</a>'
                                         : $m[0];
}, $text);

edited Feb 1, 2015 at 15:17

answered Feb 1, 2015 at 15:09

Casimir et Hippolyte

90k5 gold badges102 silver badges131 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Casimir et Hippolyte Over a year ago

@Jonny5: it's only an example, you can easily change the pattern if needed.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to use an array and regex as pattern in preg_replace?

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related