Other - Little confused, don't work as expected...

I have a regex like

/^(?!(.*(<?php echo $text_string; ?>).*))/

where the $text_string is

HELP_GUIDE_TEXT|SOMEOTHER_INFO|YETAGAINSOMEOTHERINFO

my regex does not allow HELP_GUIDE_TEXT_1

I want to have a regex that does not accept a new name that is in the string, that is

NOT HELP_GUIDE_TEXT - OR - SOMEOTHER_INFO - OR - YETAGAINSOMEOTHERINFO

...but...

should accept something like

HELP_GUIDE_TEXT_1 - OR - SOMEOTHER_INFO_1 - OR - YETAGAINSOMEOTHERINFO_1

How do I do this?

Thanx in advance!

Just to be absolutely clear about what you're doing, what does your code look like?

I have a form, I want to validate the input.
My code does not allow HELP_GUIDE_TEXT_1 or HELP_GUIDE_TEXT_2 or HELP_GUIDE_TEXT_3...

I want to prevent adding a new string that is the EXACT same as an old one...

Then your expression is simply trying too hard.

and matches are bad. If the match has to be a good thing then wrap the group+$ in a negative assertion.

Maybe I am very unclear but what you show me validate that the input has to be in the string...

I want the input NOT to be in the input...

Any ideas?

Not in? Because you just said not exactly.

Assuming you still mean not an exact match, yes: the expression I posted. If it matches then the input is not valid.