scan a string (should be an easy one) ... (I hope)

Ken Barrett

17y3.8k.NET

I'm relatively new to C# and ASP.NET (came from the PERL (CGI) world).

I am looking at a string the user is going to enter in a text box, and want to determine whether or not it could be a name.

A name doesn't have any numbers in it, and the entire string should contain at least 2 spaces and at most 3 spaces (first middle last).

I have attempted using required field validators and custom validators, for SOME of the code (Credit Card Number, etc.), but oddly enough the custom validators are bypassed when the "Submit" button is clicked (with PostBackUrl pointing to the next page). So I've decided to write my own validators, and if all passes then write the data into SQL, and follow up with a "thank you" page using Response.Redirect.

Since this is a common problem, I am supposing that there is a common solution.

My question is, what is the common solution to this common problem? (scanning the string to see if it's a name)

TIA

4 Replies

Know the answer? Post it — somebody with the same question will find it here.

Ken Barrett17y ago
Accepted answer
Just discovered RegEx !!

So thanks to all anyway!
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Bechir Bejaoui17y ago
Excuse me, with all my respect to your professor but he(she) doesn't know C# and .Net very well, there is an entire namespace dedicated to only regular expressions
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.text.regularexpressions(VS.71).aspx

I advise that you give him this link. In deed, I'm giving leçons about .Net framework on line noadays to an engeenier who comes from other language world, if you want you can join us.
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Ken Barrett17y ago
Yes indeed Reg Expressions are familiar... MORE than familiar actually !

I took a C# class at the local college last fall, and complained to the prof. about the lack of regular expressions.. I came from a unix world, learned C-shell, then C, then C++, then PERL... and believe regular expressions make thing so much easier..

Regardless of this, when I complained about missing Regular Expressions in C#, he said that they were indeed NOT in the language... so much for the quality of professors out there.

Thanks again!!
Ken
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Bechir Bejaoui17y ago
As you said you come from Perl so the regular expersions are familiar for you? take a look on this article

http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/Kolonist/regularexpressions07042006083534AM/regularexpressions.aspx
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