PHP: Function call inside replace function

Linc

I need someone to explain how the hell this piece of code works (from vBulletin):

[PHP]$bbcode = preg_replace('#\[img\]\s*(https?://([^<>*"]+|[a-z0-9/\\._\- !]+))\[/img\]#iUe', "\$this->handle_bbcode_url(str_replace('\\\"', '\"', '\\1'), '')", $bbcode);
[/PHP]
Basically, it's finding a link pattern and replacing it with the RESULT of passing the match to the function handle_bbcode_url. However... that doesn't work. How can a function name be in the middle of a string and execute? I can't figure this POS out to save my life.

RWB

Not to crap your thread, but I forgot what the hell that's called... the pattern finding portion that looks like random characters that is.... I think it started with an R.

primesuspect

regular expressions

Shorty

How can a function name be in the middle of a string and execute

Functions can be layered into functions.

Eg.. str_replace(stripslashes(url_encode($some_value)));

It will always do the inner most function first. In this instance.. url_encode

Linc

I know you can layer functions, but look what's specifically happening here - the call to "handle_bbcode_url" is INSIDE the STRING of the replace string for preg_replace. That will cause the NAME of the function to return, along with it's parameters (not its output like I want).

According to that example, it should resolve itself somehow somewhere, but i can figure out why or where that it is.

Shorty

[PHP]$bbcode = preg_replace('#\[img\]\s*(https?://([^<>*"]+|[a-z0-9/\\._\- !]+))\[/img\]#iUe', $this->handle_bbcode_url(str_replace('\\\"', '\"', '\\1'), ''), $bbcode); [/PHP]

???

Linc

The variables aren't passed then. \\1 is supposed to be the first match. If you do it like that, it literally is passed as "\\1" instead of becoming the variable.

Linc

Ahhh, I found my problem (after much head-banging). I was using 'eregi_replace' instead of 'preg_replace' in my version, AND you need an 'e' modifier on the end of the pattern.

In other news, I've pretty much decided eregi_replace is all-around worthless and does nothing but screw me up when I've used it.