Is there a free tool that is like a regexp wizard?

Question

Does there exist a free Windows software program that will help you generate regular expressions using a wizard?

I'm not exactly sure what I am looking for but I am not looking for a regexp evaluator. What I need is a calculator/wizard to help me learn how reg expressions work, while not knowing all the syntax details (until i have the experience of course).

Answer 1

Expresso is a good free tool. It just needs email registration, but it's free. The developer of that tool also wrote The 30 Minute Regex Tutorial which you can use to follow along. It's included in the help file of Expresso.

RegexBuddy is not free, but seems to have a helpful UI and a cool debugger. Take a look at the demos.

Answer 2

The Regex Coach won't quite do what you want, but it does have an info panel that explains your regex in plain English and it shows you when you've got a match in your test string.

Answer 3

Googling for "online regex generator" yields a number of interesting links. This one for example. Choose one that best suits you.

Answer 4

gSkinner has a good online tool which has a desktop version too.

Answer 5

A tool is handy for testing purposes, but if your ultimate goal is to actually learn regex, get Mastering Regular Expressions: the book w.r.t. regex-es.

A good on-line resource is regular-expressions.info.

Answer 6

ReguLazy is a neat idea for this sort of thing. It's a pretty simple way to build and test a regex.

Answer 7

Expresso is just the best for me and it's free.....