Code Error 800A139B - Expected ']' in regular expression

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Troubleshooting Code 800A139B - Expected ']' in regular expression

Introduction to error Code 800A139B

This error code, 800A139B occurs when you attempting to perform a regular expression search.  My suggestion is that there is syntax error in a complex pattern.

The Symptoms you get 800A139B

The script does not execute as you hoped, instead you get a WSH error message.Category: Microsoft VBScript runtime
Description: Expected ']' in regular expression
Number: 0x800A139B (-2146823269)

The Cause of Error 800A139B

The underlying cause is a syntax error, in the sense that you are missing a closing bracket.  With this error pay close attention to what comes next after:
Description: Expected..............

In this example the script is looking for a closing bracket ']', and not an opening bracket.  This was the example:

Problem "\<[\w+\]>"

The Solution

Stephen Gentry kindly sent in both the problem and this solution.  From what I gather, Stephen is trying to execute sophisticated pattern matching code:

Correct syntax "<\[\w+\]>" and "\<\[\w+\]>"

While I have not studied the escape character in this sequence, it seems to me that a backslash acts as an escape character.  thus \<[ does not escape the [ (it escapes the <.

In this example: "<\[\w+\]>"

Both the opening and closing bracket are escaped by the backslash \[ and later \].  This is why the solution works, and why the problem complains about an expected closing bracket.

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Do you need extra help?

For interpreting the WSH messages check Diagnose 800 errors.

For general advice try my 7 Troubleshooting techniques

Give something back?

Would you like to help others?  If you have a good example of this error, then please email me, I will publish it with a credit to you:

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