Node.js Stack Trace Frame Regex for PHP

What this pattern does

This page provides a comprehensive, battle-tested regular expression for matching node.js stack trace frame, 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
// Node.js Stack Trace Frame
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Dev & Systems > Log Parsing

define('NODEJS_STACK_TRACE_FRAME_PATTERN', '/^\s+at (?:([a-zA-Z_$][a-zA-Z0-9_$.\s<>]*) \()?([^)]+):([0-9]+):([0-9]+)\)?$/');

function validate_nodejs_stack_trace_frame(string $input): bool {
    return (bool) preg_match(NODEJS_STACK_TRACE_FRAME_PATTERN, $input);
}

// Example
var_dump(validate_nodejs_stack_trace_frame("    at Object.<anonymous> (/app/index.js:10:5)")); // bool(true)

Test Cases

When to use this pattern

This pattern is drawn from the Dev & Systems > Log Parsing 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

Groups: 1=function name (optional), 2=file path, 3=line, 4=column. Node.js prefixes built-ins with 'node:'. V8 stack traces include column numbers unlike Java.