1.2.1127. Simplify Regex

Avoid using regex when the searched string or the replacement are simple enough.

PRCE regex are a powerful way to search inside strings, but they also come at the price of performance. When the query is simple enough, try using strpos() or stripos() instead.

<?php

// simple preg calls
if (preg_match('/a/', $string))  {}
if (preg_match('/b/i', $string)) {} // case insensitive

// light replacements
if( strpos('a', $string)) {}
if( stripos('b', $string)) {}       // case insensitive

?>

1.2.1127.1. Suggestions

• Use str_replace(), strtr() or even strpos()

1.2.1127.2. Specs

Short name	Structures/SimplePreg
Rulesets	All, Performances
Exakat since	0.8.4
PHP Version	All
Severity	Major
Time To Fix	Quick (30 mins)
Precision	Very high
Features	regex
Examples	Zurmo, OpenConf
Available in	Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud