How to match date in a certain format in ruby?

Question

I want to go through each line in a file and find a date in format mm/dd/yyyy. I tried scan and match, but I don't think they are working for me. What else can I try? Can I see samples how would you guys do it (using regular expressions)?

Ariam, you may wish to edit your question to include a small part of a typical file and also how you used `scan` and/or `match`. — Cary Swoveland, Aug 01 '14 at 02:20

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 01 '14 at 02:28

Test Code:

file_data = "with a date 01/02/1900 \n without a date in line\n"
file_data.each_line do |l|
  dt = l.scan(/(\d{2}\/\d{2}\/\d{4})/).flatten.first
  puts "Line: #{l} #{dt ? 'with' : 'without'} a date #{dt} in it."
end

Result:

Line: with a date 01/02/1900
 with a date 01/02/1900 in it.
Line:  without a date in line
 without a date  in it.

The regexp may not validate months with 30/31 days and leap years. I just want to help you to study further on this topic.

How to match date in a certain format in ruby?

1 Answers1