Can this RegExp be Optimized?

[DHTML Kitchen]

var COLOR_PATTERN = /#[0-9a-z]{3,6}|rgb\(\s*(?:[\d]{1,3})(?:%)?\s*\,\s*(?:[\d]{1,3})(?:%)?\s*\,\s*(?:[\d]{1,3})(?:%)?\s*\)/i;

(IE doesn't support const kwd and I'm tryina support IE).


Here's a breakdown:

#[0-9a-f]{3,6}                  - matches #333 or #ff0044
rgb\(                           - matches rgb(

\s*(?:[\d]{1,3})(?:%)?\s*       - matches 122 or 122%  -- call this nPattern.
\,                              - matches a comma
\s*(?:[\d]{1,3})(?:%)?\s*\      -(SAME AS nPattern)
\,                              - matches a comma
\s*(?:[\d]{1,3})(?:%)?\s*       - (SAME AS nPattern)
\)/i;

My question is regarding the simplification of nPattern. I repeat the same thing three times. Can I store and backreference within the same pattern? I don't know if it's possible.

[liorean]

Backreferences store the matched text, not the matching patterns, so no, you can't.

However, I think rgb values either have to be all unitless or all per cent, I don't think you're allowed to have a mix. (not sure about this). This means you could capture one or zero per cent characters for red and backreference that for green and blue.

[DHTML Kitchen]

Good point!

The format of an RGB value in the functional notation is 'rgb(' followed by a comma-separated list of three numerical values (either three integer values or three percentage values) followed by ')'. The integer value 255 corresponds to 100%, and to F or FF in the hexadecimal notation: rgb(255,255,255) = rgb(100%,100%,100%) = #FFF. Whitespace characters are allowed around the numerical values.

My gf is pissed at me for ignoring her on thanksgiving. time ta go! Thanks though