Collaborative RegEx Development

Question

I'm looking for Collaborative RegEx website or software, where one can submit several cases of "match" and "shouldn't match" then other might refactor the regex. Like refactormycode.com but with a RegEx twist. And this way it's possible to see which code performs faster and is actually correct based on the given match tests.

This can be really useful as a website where anyone can edit (like a wiki) or within a team.

I've been thinking about this and make a lot of sense to me. Is there any website / software like this? If not, well, Why not?

Answer 1

Try RegExLib

Not a wiki, but some decent examples.

Answer 2

RegexBuddy is non-free software that includes a forum.

It doesn't have the integration you're seeking between the community and the regex testbed, but it does at least have those two features.

Answer 3

I've always been a big fan of The Regulator. Most importantly, it's free, but it also integrates with RegExLib, allows you to test regex's with a bunch of different options, has plugins, code generation, and a whole bunch more. While others may differ, I think it's very close to being the Jesus of RegEx software.

The only caveat: It requires windows and the regexs (regexes?) are evaluated using the .net runtime. (important, because there are some very subtle .net specific things about how regular expressions are treated).

You might want to check out this site as well.

Answer 4

Also of interest:

link text

Regular expression generator (perl php python java javascript coldfusion c c++ ruby vb vbscript j# c# c++.net vb.net)

Answer 5

RegExLib has good repository of user submitted regular expressions. For each expression, other users are allowed to make comments so there's some collaboration and feedback on what people submit.

I'm not sure how big the community is for the site, so I don't know if submitting your expressions will guarantee feedback, but I've found it to be a good starting point when I've needed a starting point for developing some expressions.

The site also has a great regex tester, which I have found to be a very valuable resource when developing and testing my regular expressions.

You mentioned having a "website where anyone can edit (like a wiki) or within a team."
Why not see if you can get a spare computer, setup your own open-source wiki, and run your own site for your internal team. An old desktop running under your desk would probably be able to handle the load for your team. And if it was getting enough use to need a better computer, well that would be good proof and justification to your manager or whoever that it actually is a good resource for the team and deserves better hardware. (even a sharepoint site would work instead of wiki if your company's has restrictions on what you can run. I worked for a mid-size company where there was some strange bureaucratic dispute over wiki vs. sharepoint because someone thought it would be a good idea to be consistent. totally dumb.)