Example to check format using regular expression?

[Xycose]

Can anyone give me an example of how to check to see if something has a valid format, for example to check if an input has a dollar sign, two digits, a decimal, then two digits? $54.23 would be valid but say 2980 would not be valid.

Specifically, I'm trying to use regular expressions to check if a social security number has the valid format of ###-##-#### # being any digit. Any similar example that is doing this type of check would probably help me understand and allow me to figure it out.


I was just going to put it into a char array and check if the numbers were 0-9 and the -s were -s but they teacher wants us to use a regular expression to do it.
If I understand correctly, I'm going to want a Pattern, Matching, and Boolean but I'm a little confused on how to tell it to match for a pattern of 3 digits - 2 digits - 4 digits.
My java book has a short section on this which shows an example of using .matches to check if a specific word is in a string but that's not really the same as what I am trying to do here. When I try to search online for examples using matches I cant seem to find anything that is checking for a format quite like I'm looking to do. Any help?

Thanks in advance =D

[Zack]

How advanced have you used regex before now? I don't just want to throw some expression at you and give you a ??? above your head. Have you used regex before, or the Java regex classes?

[DarrylBurke]

Regex tutorial links provided on
Cannot make a static reference to the non-static method

db

[pbrockway2]

Thanks for starting the new thread.

From the old one, Darryl's links (because they're good):

Regular-Expressions.info - Regex Tutorial, Examples and Reference - Regexp Patterns
Lesson: Regular Expressions (The Java™ Tutorials > Essential Classes)

Edit: slow ;( because I had to alt-tab back and forwards.

[Xycose]

Thanks for the help again, I got it figured out, pretty simple now that its done and I have a better understanding.

I notice when you make a new topic there is an option to add the prefix SOLVED. Is there a way I can mark my threads as solved after they are made?

Onto my next assignment... Lots of new concepts in this one but I think I can probably get this one on my own. We'll find out!

[Fubarable]

Thanks for the help again, I got it figured out, pretty simple now that its done and I have a better understanding.

Congrats on solving it, and thanks for letting us know!

I notice when you make a new topic there is an option to add the prefix SOLVED. Is there a way I can mark my threads as solved after they are made?

Click on the Thread Tools link above and then click on Mark this thread as solved.

Onto my next assignment... Lots of new concepts in this one but I think I can probably get this one on my own. We'll find out!

Much luck!!

[DarrylBurke]

I notice when you make a new topic there is an option to add the prefix SOLVED.

Nope. That wouldn't make sense, would it?

Is there a way I can mark my threads as solved after they are made?

Click "Thread Tools" and follow your nose.

db

[Xycose]

I agree it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it is actually an option. See attachment.