How do I match an entire string with a regex?

Question

I need a regex that will only find matches where the entire string matches my query.

For instance if I do a search for movies with the name \"Red October\" I only wa

Answer 1

I know that this may be a little late to answer this, but maybe it will come handy for someone else.

Simplest way:

var someString = "...";
var someRegex = "...";
var match = Regex.Match(someString , someRegex );
if(match.Success && match.Value.Length == someString.Length){
    //pass
} else {
    //fail
}

Answer 2

Sorry, but that's a little unclear.

From what i read, you want to do simple string compare. You don't need regex for that.

string myTest = "Red October";
bool isMatch = (myTest.ToLower() == "Red October".ToLower());
Console.WriteLine(isMatch);
isMatch = (myTest.ToLower() == "The Hunt for Red October".ToLower());

Answer 3

You can do it like this Exemple if i only want to catch one time the letter minus a in a string and it can be check with myRegex.IsMatch()

^[^e][e]{1}[^e]$

Answer 4

You need to enclose your regex in ^ (start of string) and $ (end of string):

^Red October$

Answer 5

Use the ^ and $ modifiers to denote where the regex pattern sits relative to the start and end of the string:

Regex.Match("Red October", "^Red October$"); // pass
Regex.Match("The Hunt for Red October", "^Red October$"); // fail

Answer 6

Try the following regular expression:

^Red October$

By default, regular expressions are case sensitive. The ^ marks the start of the matching text and $ the end.