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PatternBenchBY SMARTFACT

FREE JAVASCRIPT REGEX WORKBENCH

Use named captures in a JavaScript regex

Updated

A named capture group gives part of a regular-expression match a reusable name. PatternBench shows JavaScript matches and captures, then previews replacement text separately from your original input.

Free to use. No account, email address or trial. Your work stays in your browser.

JavaScript matches and their replacement preview.
Named captures reuse letters and digits while the source text stays unchanged.

Name the parts of an item code

Use (?<prefix>[A-Z]{2})-(?<number>\d{4}) to name two letters and four digits. Named groups let you refer to each part clearly. A syntactic match does not prove that the item exists.

A JavaScript pattern with prefix and number capture groups.
Give each captured part a meaningful name.

Match each reference

Enter your exact text and run the pattern. Check the g flag when you need all matches rather than only the first. Match positions use UTF-16 offsets, as JavaScript does.

Two matched references and their named captures.
Read the matches before relying on a replacement.

Preview a replacement separately

Use $<prefix>/$<number> to reuse the named captures with a different separator. The preview leaves the original input unchanged. Replacement text is supported; replacement functions are not executed.

Replacement text referring to the two named groups.
Preview the new presentation before using it elsewhere.

Read the syntax and engine limits

The explanation describes parsed syntax, not a backtracking debugger. PatternBench uses this browser’s JavaScript engine and the g, i, m, s, u and y flags. It does not provide PCRE, .NET or Python execution.

A parsed explanation of the JavaScript pattern.
An explanation describes the pattern; it does not prove correctness.
MADE FOR DEVELOPERS AND INTEGRATORS

For developers, integrators and people checking exact values before using them in another system.

A USEFUL STARTING POINT

Separate selection from presentation

Named parts make an expression easier to inspect and reuse. Read the captured values first, then compare the replacement preview with the unchanged source.

FROM QUESTION TO EVIDENCE

Three steps to a useful result.

  1. 01

    Enter

    Supply the JavaScript pattern and exact source text.

  2. 02

    Run

    Check matches and named capture values.

  3. 03

    Preview

    Read replacement output separately from the original.

A CONCRETE EXAMPLE

Keep the digits while changing the separator

With the named prefix and number groups, $<prefix>/$<number> changes a matched item-code separator without converting the four captured digits to a number. Leading zeroes remain text.

WHEN CHECKS REPEAT

From a useful check to everyday work.

These SmartFACT services handle work that repeats across a team or on each job. The workbench remains free and independent.

Invited trial

LabelRules

When label checks must repeat for each job, LabelRules turns requirements described in plain English into approved selection and value-check rules. It starts with an invited trial. PatternBench does not publish rules into it.

Early access

KitProof

When expected components depend on order data, KitProof builds checklists from approved plain English rules and checks each scan against them. It is in early access, with scope agreed at onboarding.

BEFORE YOU START

A few practical answers.

What is a named capturing group?

A named part of a match that can be inspected and reused. JavaScript uses the (?<name>...) form.

Why is only one match replaced?

Check whether the g flag is set and whether the pattern matches the other text.

Does this change my source text?

No. The replacement is a separate preview.

Can I use PCRE syntax?

Only syntax supported by the browser’s JavaScript RegExp engine is available.

What are the current limits?

Patterns and replacement text are limited to 4,096 UTF-16 code units each; samples to 100,000. Up to 1,000 matches and 64 capture groups are supported, with 200,000 retained text/output code units. Cases are limited to 50 values of 2,000 code units each. Highlighted preview shows 6,000 sample code units and the table 100 matches; complete results are used for replacement and export. The engine is the current browser’s JavaScript RegExp, not PCRE, .NET or another dialect. Matching a shape does not prove that a real-world value exists. Syntax explanations show up to 512 elements. Project files are limited to 1.5 MB. Generated snippets do not include the workbench’s worker or result limits.

What happens to my data?

Patterns, sample text, replacement text, cases and results stay in this tab’s memory. Workers run on this device and are discarded after completion, edits, cancellation or the execution limit. Nothing is uploaded, put in a page address or saved automatically. Refreshing or closing the tab discards the work. Clipboard copies, extraction exports, generated code and project files can contain your actual values. Opening a project reads the selected file locally and replaces the workbench only after validation. The tool has no analytics; these public pages offer optional suite analytics separately.

ONE SMALL JOB, DONE WELL

Put PatternBench to work.

Open the free tool and start with one known example.

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THE SMARTFACT SUITE

Practical tools. Useful on their own.
Better around the same floor.

Automate factory decisions with rules you describe in plain English. Explore focused SmartFACT services, plus free tools for everyday checks.

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Scan an empty container to send the right refill request to stores. Approved plain English rules set the stores queue, priority, ticket printer and escalation.

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CheckStation

Scan an identified unit to get its approved final-inspection checks, then record exact readings with their result, holds and release history.

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Make a free tag ↗
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Check a file free ↗
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OffcutBench

Label the offcuts on your rack, find a piece long enough before cutting new stock and record what you used. No account needed.

Track offcuts free ↗
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TraceBench

Load one or two CSV exports and follow a lot or serial forwards or backwards, with the row behind every link. No account needed.

Start a free trace ↗
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Track recovered parts free ↗
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