/blog/ · field notes from the hunt
/q(?!u)/
iraqqatarqi·queenquietquote
Lookarounds let a regex check what comes before or after a spot without matching it. Here's how all four work, where they shine, and when a plain pattern is shorter.
Regex Hunter/j|bu|oo/
jeffersonbuchananhoover·fremontdeweygore
How xkcd's regex golf comic started a puzzle genre, how Peter Norvig solved it, and where to play a new regex golf puzzle every day.
Regex Hunter/^c.*t/
cartchartcoat·scatcrab
Seven techniques for writing the shortest regex that catches every target and spares the rest — with live boards you can solve right in the article.
Regex Hunter/cat|car|can/
catcarpet·cowdog
Match every monster, spare every innocent, and do it in as few characters as you can. Here's what the game is, why it's worth your time, and a first trick to shave your score.
Regex HunterToday’s board is live
Match every monster, spare every innocent — in as few characters as you can.