Question

I am trying to parse my URL into different parts using this RegExp:

([\w\\.-]*)

Given an example URL http://www.foo.com/bar/baz I get those results from preg_match_all():

Array
(
[0] => Array
    (
        [0] => http
        [1] => 
        [2] => 
        [3] => 
        [4] => www.foo.com
        [5] => 
        [6] => bar
        [7] => 
        [8] => baz
        [9] => 
    )

)

It seems that it parses any invalid character into an empty item.
How do I solve this?

Answer 1

By using * you’re capturing empty groups – use + instead:

([\w\.-]+)

I assume the extra \ in your RE is because you have it inside a quoted string.