REGEXVAULTv2.0
Dev & Systems/SemVer
Verified Safe

SemVer Build Metadata Identifier Regex for PHP

/^[a-zA-Z0-9\-]+(?:\.[a-zA-Z0-9\-]+)*$/

What this pattern does

This page provides a well-structured, multi-part regular expression for matching semver build metadata identifier, 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
<?php
// SemVer Build Metadata Identifier
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Dev & Systems > SemVer

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

function validate_semver_build_metadata_identifier(string $input): bool {
    return (bool) preg_match(SEMVER_BUILD_METADATA_IDENTIFIER_PATTERN, $input);
}

// Example
var_dump(validate_semver_build_metadata_identifier("001")); // bool(true)

Test Cases

Matches (Valid)
Rejects (Invalid)
001+build
20130313144700build.
exp.sha.5114f85.build
sha.abc123build..meta
build.42sha_256

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

Unlike pre-release identifiers, build metadata does NOT affect precedence. Two versions differing only in build metadata are equal for ordering.

Technical Notes

Build metadata is ignored in version precedence comparisons. Common uses: commit SHA, build timestamp, CI run number.

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