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The Regex Coach

weitz.de

Free plan WindowsLinux
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Spec score 7.3 #13 of 23 in Regular Expression Testers

What it is

The Regex Coach is a graphical application for experimenting interactively with Perl-compatible regular expressions. It shows whether a pattern matches a target string and updates the interface when changes are made. Users can highlight captured groups or selected parts of a pattern in the target text. The application can attempt a plain-English explanation of a regex, show its parse tree graphically, and step through the matching process. It also simulates Perl split and substitution operations. Written in Common Lisp, it uses CL-PPCRE as its regex engine. The current Windows download is version 0.9.2; the maker says the program has not changed since 2008. Linux is no longer maintained, though an unsupported 0.8.5 release is available and also runs on FreeBSD. There is no Mac version planned. The program is provided as-is without warranty, and the maker says not to expect support for older Windows configurations or the unsupported Linux release. The engine may overflow its stack with relatively long regular expressions. The listed plan is free, with conditions for commercial use and redistribution.

Spec sheet

What it does
The Regex Coach is a graphical application for interactively experimenting with Perl-compatible regular expressions.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Intended users
The maker says it may be useful to programmers using Perl-compatible regex toolkits such as PCRE or CL-PPCRE.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Maker
The site identifies Prof. Dr. Edmund Weitz as the maker and lists his address at HAW Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Engine and implementation
The application is written in Common Lisp and uses CL-PPCRE as its regex engine.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Known limitations
The regex engine may encounter a stack overflow on relatively long regular expressions, and the maker notes possible issues on Eastern European Windows versions using character set 1250 or similar.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Linux availability
Linux is no longer maintained, but the maker provides the unsupported 0.8.5 release, which also runs on FreeBSD.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Live matching
It shows whether a regex matches a target string and updates other parts of the application in real time when you make changes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Mac availability
The maker says there is no Mac version and no plan to release one.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Match inspection
It can highlight captured groups or selected parts of a regular expression in the target string.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Matching stepper
It can single-step through the matching process performed by its regex engine.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Privacy and security
The maker's website privacy notice says its server logs may include IP addresses and other access data, and that anonymous log data is stored separately from personal data supplied by users.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Regex explanation
It tries to describe a regular expression in plain English and can display a graphical representation of its parse tree.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Support and warranty
The program is provided as-is with no warranty, and the maker says not to expect support for older Windows configurations or the unsupported Linux release.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Text operations
It simulates Perl's split and substitution operators.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de
Windows availability
The current download is version 0.9.2, and the maker says the program has not changed since 2008; the page reports it worked for the maker on Windows 10 in June 2023.Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de

Plans and prices

The Regex Coach Free Free for private and non-commercial use · Commercial use is free, but redistribution or charging money requires written permission Read 2 Oct 2026 · weitz.de

Every The Regex Coach plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Shows match results as patterns or target text change.
  • Highlights captured groups and selected pattern parts.
  • Can show a regex parse tree graphically.
  • Steps through the matching process.
  • Simulates Perl split and substitution operations.

Limits

  • Linux is no longer maintained.
  • No Mac version is planned.
  • The maker offers no warranty.
  • Long regular expressions may cause stack overflow.

Who it suits

The Regex Coach may suit programmers working with Perl-compatible regex toolkits such as PCRE or CL-PPCRE. It is less suitable for readers who need maintained Linux support or a Mac version.

Verdict

The Regex Coach provides several ways to inspect and step through Perl-compatible patterns, but its maintenance and support limits are explicit. Check the listed terms for commercial use and redistribution before using or sharing it in those contexts.

Where Specifiction places it

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