return regex results to an array

Question

I'm working on a little project and this is my first time using regex

I've tried using .match or .matches but i don't see any option that will alow me to return the results of a regex query to an array.

thanks

Answer 1

If you use Regex.Matches(input,regex,regexoptions) it will return a collection of matches that you can then iterate through.

A collection is seen as a better thing to use for developing (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k2604h5s(VS.71).aspx)

Answer 2

I haven't tested it but something like that will do the job :

public static IEnumerable<Match> GetMatches(Regex regex, string input)
{
    var m = regex.Match(input);
    while (m.Success)
    {
     yield return m;

     m = m.NextMatch();
    }
}

Answer 3

Use the Matches CopyTo method to copy to the array of your choice.

Have a look at this

MatchCollection.CopyTo Method

Edit to comment

Something like this

Regex rg = new Regex("YourExpression");
MatchCollection matcheCollection = rg.Matches("Your String");
Match[] matches = new Match[matcheCollection.Count];
matcheCollection.CopyTo(matches, 0);

Answer 4

Regex rg = new Regex("YourExpression");

Match[] result = rg.Matches("Your String").OfType<Match>().ToArray();

Would save you from having to define the Match[] separably.