Maven Version (Java) Regex for PHP

What this pattern does

This page provides a comprehensive, battle-tested regular expression for matching maven version (java), ported and verified for PHP. A rigorously tested regex reduces debugging time and protects your application from edge-case failures. The snippet below is ready to drop into your PHP project — whether you're validating in a Laravel validator, a WordPress plugin, or a standalone PHP script.

Php Implementation

<?php
// Maven Version (Java)
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Dev & Systems > SemVer

define('MAVEN_VERSION_JAVA_PATTERN', '/^([0-9]+)\.([0-9]+)\.?([0-9]*)(?:[.\-]([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9\-]*))?(?:[.\-]([0-9]+))?$/');

function validate_maven_version_java(string $input): bool {
    return (bool) preg_match(MAVEN_VERSION_JAVA_PATTERN, $input);
}

// Example
var_dump(validate_maven_version_java("1.0")); // bool(true)

Test Cases

When to use this pattern

This pattern is drawn from the Dev & Systems > SemVer category and carries a ReDoS-safe certification. That matters for PHP developers because especially relevant in PHP where PCRE backtracking limits can trigger silent failures on malicious input. RegexVault audits patterns against known backtracking attack vectors, ensuring you have the necessary context before using this regex in a high-stakes production environment.

Common Pitfalls

Technical Notes

Maven version ordering is complex and does not follow strict SemVer rules. Qualifiers like SNAPSHOT, RELEASE, alpha, beta, RC have defined ordering in Maven. Use Maven's own ComparableVersion for reliable comparison.