So I’m working with a friend to develop a regex that matches something out of an API response, when we really wish we could quickly prototype a regex. Now, there are plenty of tools to do this, some are even freeware, but all them need to be downloaded and installed. I realize it sounds pathetic to say that I was too lazy to download and install a tool, but to be honest I really don’t need more tiny, rarely-used apps cluttering up my system. There’s got to be a web-based tool to do this, I thought.
Google did not disappoint. I found this awesome web-based regex test tool built on Adobe Flex called RegExr. If you’ve got Flash installed, it runs right in your browser.
Not only does it show you what it’s matching live as you type, what your match groups contain, what each chunk of your regex means, etc., but it’s also got a phenomenal quick-reference sidebar for all those handy meta-characters. You can even save your favorite regexs and browse other people’s favorite submissions.
We need more tools like this. I was able to quickly and easily prototype a regex in no time at all, and the app took about 10 seconds to figure out how to use.
Thanks, gskinner.com! You guys are awesome!