g1smd - 1:04 pm on Jul 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

Handy tips:

Use "exactly" (.*) ONLY when the very next thing is a $ "end" anchor, or when it is the ONLY thing in the pattern. Never use (.*) at the start or in the middle of a pattern.

Use "exactly" .* if it is the ONLY thing in the RegEx pattern and the value is NOT being captured for re-use. Never use .* at the start or in the middle of a pattern.

The (.*?) pattern is less greedy but can still be problematical.

[edited by: g1smd at 1:21 pm (utc) on Jul 4, 2011]