Question

I need to accum some data based on whether or not an SSN number appears in the data. I have it in a string, what I need to do is search for a numeric pattern within the string such as:

###-##-####

I looked into regex a bit, but I don’t have much time to read deep into it (my company needs the program this week) and it seems too complex to grasp in such a short time. What I’ve came across so far is:

If (rec.address1 Like "###-##-####")

but I don’t know if this will filter it out of the string (it can appear with an address attached to it).

Answer 1

If you’re using Like, try this pattern (with some examples):

Dim pattern as string = "*###-##-####*"

Console.WriteLine("Dave111-22-3333H" Like pattern)      'True
Console.WriteLine("111-22-3333H" Like pattern)          'True
Console.WriteLine("Dave111-22-3333" Like pattern)       'True
Console.WriteLine("Dave111-2DDD2-3333H" Like pattern)   'False
Console.WriteLine("333111-22-3333" Like pattern)        'True
Console.WriteLine("D111-22-33331231223" Like pattern)   'True

The * is a wildcard character. Here’s a link with a nice set of examples.

If you just use the pattern in your question, it won’t filter it out. But if you surround your pattern with wildcards, then it will.

Hope this helps!