How do check I allow user to enter only alpha numeric and -?

[tanalyw]

Hi another question

I need to do a prompt on console.
However, the prompt only accepts alpha numerical values and dash (-)
How do i go about it.

I only manange to check if the input user entered is alpha-numeric using this method,

boolean true = username.matches("\\p{Alnum}+");

how do i prevent user from entering funny characters like )(*&^%$#@! except for - ? thanks

[Chris.Brown.SPE]

I think this is what you're looking for.

if (!test.matches("[\\p{Alnum}[\\-]]*"))
{
//error
}
else
{
  //your ok
}

[sukatoa]

Try this algorithm, ( in a GUI "textfield" )

Before the user inputs, save the current value of textfield on a variable.
in every input, check the last character for decimal and dash
if satisfied, allow and replace the saved value to this new one.
else, remove the text, and replace it with the value that was stored.

kind regards,
sukatoa