php - Using backreferences for backreferencesing to a pattern

Question

Consider (w[0-9]).*1 RegEx, it matches to d1akdhfafd1, R2ddsfasfasfdsfdR2, etc. .

Is is possible to write a RegEx that that match to following too: D1dfsadfadsfE3, z6adfdasfdfr2, e3654654e0 ,....?

w[0-9] is just an example, please consider general form (::A_Complex_Pattern::).*1

Answer 1

PHP's regex engine (PCRE) supports recursion. A few others do, but you generally shouldn't count on it. However, if the engine does, then you can insert patterns used elsewhere like this:

(wd).*(?1)

Where the numbering as the same as that for backreferences. (?R) would insert the whole pattern.