need to improve bash regexp

Question

in my bash script I use a regexp to match a string of variable assignment, for instance:

1. Var = Value
2. var = Value;
3. Var=Value
4. Var=Value;
5. Var Value

the regexp i developed: \s*${varName}\s*\={0,1}\s*.*\s*;{0,1}

this regexp can match every instances above but also another instance that I don't want, which is VarValue

I cannot think of a way to make my regexp to not match the VarValue instance.

Answer 1

Modifying yours:

\s*${varName}(\s?[\s\=]\s?).+\s*;{0,1}

Answer 2

\s*{varName}(?:\s*=\s*|\s+)(\w+)

I didn't modify your regex since it seemed quite complicated for the job, but this one will match all cases listed above while not matching VarValue. Your data will be in group 1.

Play with the regex here.