javascript - Regular Expression for Alphabetical text with some exceptions -

i looking regular expression text field accepts alphabets, dots(.), brackets, -, &

a.b.c abc (new), & co. a-abc. 

i have regular expression:

/^[a-z.&() ]+$/ 

code:

var regex = /^[a-z][a-z.()&-]+$/; var sel = document.getelementbyid("textboxid").value; if (sel != "-- select --") { if (!regex.test(sel.tostring())) { alert("please use proper name."); } } return false; 

i want string mandatory start alphabet. seems not working when add - same, may syntax wrong.

first, note [a-z] not same [a-za-z], meant. if @ an ascii table, can see range a z includes several special characters may not intend include.

second, since dash - denotes range in character class (as above), must included last (or first, more commonly last) in order interpreted literal dash.

so, want this:

/^[a-za-z.()&-]+$/ 

and assert starts alphabet:

/^[a-za-z][a-za-z.()&-]*$/   ^^^^^^^^             ^ 

(notice i've changed + quantifer * quantifier.)

finally, @explosionpills had done, can simplify expression making case-insensitive:

/^[a-z][a-z.()&-]*$/i