Regex Any Character

Python

In Python, to match multiple instances of any character, you can use quantifiers with the re module:

import re
# Matches zero or more of any character.
pattern = re.compile('.*')
match = pattern.match('abc')

# Matches one or more of any character.
pattern = re.compile('.+')
match = pattern.match('abc')

To include newline characters in your matches, use the re.DOTALL flag.

C#

In C#, you can similarly use quantifiers to match multiple instances of any character:

using System;
using System.Text.RegularExpressions;

class Program {
    static void Main() {
        // Matches zero or more of any character.
        Regex regex = new Regex(\".*\");
        Match match = regex.Match(\"abc\");

        // Matches one or more of any character.
        regex = new Regex(\".+\");
        match = regex.Match(\"abc\");
    }
}

Remember to use RegexOptions.Singleline if you want to include newline characters in your matches.

PHP

In PHP, to match multiple instances of any character, you can use quantifiers:

// Matches zero or more of any character.
$match = preg_match('/.*/', 'abc');

// Matches one or more of any character.
$match = preg_match('/.+/', 'abc');

Include the s modifier to match newline characters as well.

SQL

In SQL, the % wildcard in conjunction with the LIKE operator can also match multiple instances of any character:

SELECT * FROM table WHERE column LIKE '%';

This will match any string in the specified column, regardless of its length.

JavaScript

In JavaScript, to match multiple instances of any character, you can use quantifiers:

// Matches zero or more of any character.
let regex = new RegExp('.*');
let match = regex.test('abc');

// Matches one or more of any character.
regex = new RegExp('.+');
match = regex.test('abc');

Use the s flag to match newline characters as well.

Java

In Java, you can use quantifiers to match multiple instances of any character:

import java.util.regex.*;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Matches zero or more of any character.
        Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile(\".*\");
        Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher(\"abc\");
        boolean match = matcher.find();

        // Matches one or more of any character.
        pattern = Pattern.compile(\".+\");
        matcher = pattern.matcher(\"abc\");
        match = matcher.find();
    }
}

To include newline characters in your matches, use Pattern.DOTALL.