Non-Greedy Matching Regex Pattern
Shows non-greedy (lazy) matching with +? quantifier. Matches shortest possible string instead of longest.
Live Regex Tester
Pattern Breakdown
Code Examples
JavaScript
const regex = /<.+?>/g; const test = "<b>bold</b>"; console.log(regex.test(test)); // true // Extract matches const matches = test.match(regex); console.log(matches);
Python
import re pattern = r'<.+?>' test = "<b>bold</b>" match = re.findall(pattern, test) print(match) # Found!
Go
package main
import (
"fmt"
"regexp"
)
func main() {
re := regexp.MustCompile(`<.+?>`)
fmt.Println(re.MatchString("<b>bold</b>")) // true
}Common Use Cases
Match Examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| <b>bold</b> | Match |
| no tags | No Match |
About the Non-Greedy Matching Regex
Shows non-greedy (lazy) matching with +? quantifier. Matches shortest possible string instead of longest.
Regular expressions (regex) are powerful pattern matching tools used across virtually all programming languages. The non-greedy matching pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty in the advanced patterns category. It works in all major programming languages.
When using this regex, always consider edge cases and test thoroughly with real-world data. Use the interactive tester above to validate the pattern against your specific inputs before deploying to production.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Non-Greedy Matching regex pattern?
Shows non-greedy (lazy) matching with +? quantifier. Matches shortest possible string instead of longest.
How do I use the Non-Greedy Matching regex?
Use the pattern /<.+?>/g in your code. In JavaScript: new RegExp('<.+?>', 'g'). Test it above with your own input.
What does this Non-Greedy Matching regex match?
This pattern matches: "<b>bold</b>". It does NOT match: "no tags". HTML parsing, tag matching, minimal matching.
Is the Non-Greedy Matching regex beginner-friendly?
This pattern is rated Intermediate. It uses some advanced features like character classes and quantifiers.
What languages support the Non-Greedy Matching regex?
This pattern works in all major programming languages including JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, Go, Ruby, PHP, and more. Syntax may vary slightly between regex engines.
Can I modify the Non-Greedy Matching regex for my use case?
Yes! Use the interactive tester above to modify the pattern and test with your own data. Common modifications include making it case-insensitive (add 'i' flag), matching globally (add 'g' flag), or adjusting character classes.
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