What are the advantages and disadvantages of using preg_match for simple string validation in PHP?

When validating simple strings in PHP, using preg_match can be a quick and efficient way to check for specific patterns or formats. However, it can also be more complex and harder to read compared to other validation methods like using built-in functions such as strlen or ctype functions. Additionally, using regular expressions in preg_match can be prone to errors if not properly constructed. 

// Example of using preg_match for simple string validation
$string = "example123";

if (preg_match('/^[a-zA-Z0-9]*$/', $string)) {
    echo "String is valid.";
} else {
    echo "String is not valid.";
}

Keywords

preg_match string validation advantages disadvantages PHP

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