How to generate random strings that match a given regexp?

Question

Duplicate:

Random string that matches a regexp

No, it isn\'t. I\'m looking for an easy and universal method, one that I could actu

Answer 1

if your only criteria are that your method is easy and universal, then there ain't nothing easier or more universal than brute force. :)

for (i = 0; i < 10; ++i) {
    do {
        var str = generateRandomString();
    } while (!myRegex.match(str));
    myListOfGoodStrings.push(str);
}

Of course, this is a very silly way to do things and mostly was meant as a joke.

I think your best bet would be to try writing your own very basic parser, teaching it just the things which you're expecting to encounter (eg: letter and number ranges, repeating/optional characters... don't worry about look-behinds etc)