Validate Zip code using reqular expression

[mike nu]

Hi there,

I am trying to use regular expression to validate a zip code, but could not find a good solution. This is my requirements:
1. The zip code should be 5 digits.
2. The zip code should not be "00000", "88888" or "99999".

How can I do this validation in a single reqular expression?

Thanks,
Mike

[Naseem Khan]

Well It could be done as follows with full exception handling.

/**
 * First check the length of zip code. I assumed that zip code entered is 
 * String object. If length is 5. Then execute [I]if statement.[/I]
 */
if(strZipCode.length(5)) {
  /**
   * Get primitive from this strZipCode, if zip code is not a digit you 
   * will get NumberFormatExeption. Catch this exception and then throw 
   * some user defined exceptions like InvalidZipCodeException from catch.
   */
  if(zipValue==00000 || zipValue==88888 || zipValue==99999){
    throw InvalidZipCodeException();
  }
}

If no exception is thrown it means zip code entered is correct.

Naseem

[James Sabre]

Originally posted by mike nu:

How can I do this validation in a single reqular expression?

I don't think this can be done in one regex but it can be done in several ways with two

e.g.
boolean isGood = value.matches("\\d{5}") && !value.matches("([089])\\1{4}");

[James Sabre]

Originally posted by James Sabre:


I don't think this can be done in one regex but it can be done in several ways with two

e.g.
boolean isGood = value.matches("\\d{5}") && !value.matches("([089])\\1{4}");

Having said I don't think this can be done I find it can!

boolean isGood = value.matches("[1-7]\\d{4}" +
"|0[1-9]\\d{3}|8[0-79]|9[0-8]\\d{3}" +
"|00[1-9]\\d{2}|88[0-79]\\d{2}|99[0-8]\\d{2}" +
"|000[1-9]\\d|888[0-79]\\d|999[0-8]\\d" +
"|0000[1-9]|8888[0-79]|9999[0-8]");

Not nice but it can be done!

[James Sabre]

Originally posted by James Sabre:


Having said I don't think this can be done I find it can!

boolean isGood = value.matches("[1-7]\\d{4}" +
"|0[1-9]\\d{3}|8[0-79]|9[0-8]\\d{3}" +
"|00[1-9]\\d{2}|88[0-79]\\d{2}|99[0-8]\\d{2}" +
"|000[1-9]\\d|888[0-79]\\d|999[0-8]\\d" +
"|0000[1-9]|8888[0-79]|9999[0-8]");

Not nice but it can be done!

Which needs a correction!

value.matches("[1-7]\\d{4}" +
"|0[1-9]\\d{3}|8[0-79]\\d{3}|9[0-8]\\d{3}" +
"|00[1-9]\\d{2}|88[0-79]\\d{2}|99[0-8]\\d{2}" +
"|000[1-9]\\d|888[0-79]\\d|999[0-8]\\d" +
"|0000[1-9]|8888[0-79]|9999[0-8]");

[Ulf Dittmer]

Originally posted by James Sabre:


Having said I don't think this can be done I find it can!

Crafty! Although it might make a good entry for the "Obfuscated Regular Expression Contest" if there were such a thing

[Alan Moore]

"(?!([089])\\1{4})\\d{5}"

"Obfuscated Regular Expression Contest"? That's even more redundant than an obfuscated Perl contest.

[James Sabre]

Originally posted by Alan Moore:

"(?!([089])\\1{4})\\d{5}"

:-) Much much much better!

[Andrew Monkhouse]

Originally posted by Alan Moore:
"Obfuscated Regular Expression Contest"? That's even more redundant than an obfuscated Perl contest.