Exclude result from regex

Question

How can I exclude alpha characters from the end of each group of following regex:

\b([0-9]{1,2}\w)?([0-9]{1,2}\w)?([0-9]{1,2}\w)?([0-9]{1,2}\w)\b

Thanks!

Answer 1

Use optional non-capturing groups, and move your captured groups into them:

\b(?:([0-9]{1,2})\w)?(?:([0-9]{1,2})\w)?(?:([0-9]{1,2})\w)?(?:([0-9]{1,2})\w)\b
     \__________/       \__________/       \__________/       \__________/
          1                   2                 3                  4  

• (...) - Groups will be captures, just as they are now.
• (?:...) - Non-capturing groups. Used to group the digits and the alpha-numeric so they are all optional together: (?:...)?

Keep in mind that \w also include digits and underscores, so you may have unexpected results.

Answer 2

You can exclude alphas like this:

[^a-zA-Z]

^ means "not".