Replace only first match using preg_replace

php regex preg-replace
deadbeef picture deadbeef · Jul 18, 2011 · Viewed 49.6k times · Source

I have a string with structure similar to: 'aba aaa cba sbd dga gad aaa cbz'. The string can be a bit different each time as it's from an external source.

I would like to replace only first occurrence of 'aaa' but not the others. Is it possible?

Answer

Paul picture Paul · Jul 18, 2011

The optional fourth parameter of preg_replace is limit:

preg_replace($search, $replace, $subject, 1);

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