Using preg_split() to extract a part of a number on first occurrence of a particular number

Question

I am trying to extract a part of the string 0044800 999999 at the first occurrence of a non-zero. I am using preg_split() thus:

$str = preg_split("/[1-9]/", "0044800 999999", 2);
var_dump($str[1]);

The problem is that when this operation completes, it also removes the matching non-zero digit. E.g. 0044800 999999 results in 4800 999999 instead of 44800 999999.

What could I be doing wrong?

Answer 1

You could on optional leading zeroes

$str = preg_split("/^0*/", "0044800 999999", 2);
var_dump($str[1]);

Output

string(12) "44800 999999"

Or you could split on 1 or more leading zeroes, and check if the returned array has 2 parts in case the string did not contain leading zeroes.

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You might use a more precise approach removing leading zeroes, and use a capture group to match digits followed by a space and digits.

$re = '/^0*(\d+(?:\h+\d+)*)$/';
$str = '0044800 999999';
$result = preg_replace($re, '$1', $str);
var_dump($result);

Output

string(12) "44800 999999"