VerbalExpressions is a fluent regular expression builder for .net, heavily inspired by the wonderful looking (haven't used it, but clearly the best idea ever!) Verbal Expressions javascript library.

Add VerbalExpressions to your project:

Install-Package VerbalExpressions

Check the tests for example uses, but the basics:

var urlRegex = new VerbalExpression()
	.StartOfLine()
	.Then("http")
	.Maybe("s")
	.Then("://")
	.Anything()
	.EndOfLine();

urlRegex.Test("http://www.google.com").ShouldBe(true);

urlRegex.Test("https://www.google.com").ShouldBe(true);

urlRegex.Test("httpT://www.google.com").ShouldBe(false);

urlRegex.Test("google.com").ShouldBe(false);

• .StartOfLine() start the regex
• .Then(string match) Followed by this string
• .Anything() Followed by anything
• .AnythingBut(string stringToExclude) Followed by anything except
• .Maybe(string optionalPart) Possibly followed by
• .EndOfLine() End of line :)

Some things to consider... Maybe best to add these as the usecases arise in real projects - don't want this api getting out of hand from the get go!

• Do something with correct case / IgnoreCase
• Anything overloads with min, max characters??? perhaps .Anything(int minChars) and .Anything(int minChars, int maxChars)
• Anything overloads with TYPES??? perhaps .Anything(Type Int) or whatever...