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is it possible to set up a regex to validate each position in a string of characters in a form field?

is it possible to set up a regex to validate each position in a string of characters in a form field?

I have a requirement for a contract number field in a Cold Fusion form. Requirements are:

•      Positions 1-6 will be the 70Z0XX where XX is the contracting office code IE: 23.
•      Positions 7-8 will be the two digit Fiscal Year IE: 17.
•      Position 9 will be the one character instrument code IE: C, D, F.
•      Positions 10-17 will be agency assigned number.
•      New Example: 70Z02317D00000001

Is it possible to set up an expression at different points w/in the string of characters? I've never done that...only length requirements and forcing it to start w/ either a number or a letter. thanks for any help.

Bill Prew

Assuming position 9 must be one of C, D or E, then this should work. Take a look and give it a try, it validates that a field passes the test you outlined. You can see it in action at this RegEx test site:

https://regex101.com/r/o2hdAc/1

^70Z0\d{4}[CDF]\d{8}$

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»bp

Quack

ASKER

thanks...it validates w/ my checker...I'll let you know...

Quack

ASKER

looks as though this should work...thanks

Quack

ASKER

Ok...I was wrong...the only validation is that it has to start w/ 70Z0...Z doesn't have to uppercase fyi and the rest of the string can be uppercase letters or numbers up to 22 characters. Would this work?

^[70Zz0][A-Za-z0-9]{1,21}$

Bill Prew

I think you would want more like this.

^70[Zz]0[A-Za-z0-9]{1,22}$

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»bp

Quack

ASKER

Ok...back to the original requirments we go...sort of:

New requirements are:

•      Positions 1 – 4: ‘70Z0’ or ‘70z0’ where 0 is zero - good to go
•      Positions 5 – 6: alphanumeric
•      Positions 7 – 8: numeric
•      Position 9: alphabetic
•      Positions 10 – 17: alphanumeric

so would this work still?:

^70Z0\d{4}[CDF]\d{8}$

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Bill Prew

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Quack

ASKER

Sorry ... out of the country until yesterday...thanks so much for your help Bill!