using the jquery validation plugin, how can I add a regex validation on a textbox?

javascript, jquery, regex, validation

Solution

Define a new validation function, and use it in the rules for the field you want to validate:

$(function ()
{
    $.validator.addMethod("loginRegex", function(value, element) {
        return this.optional(element) || /^[a-z0-9\-]+$/i.test(value);
    }, "Username must contain only letters, numbers, or dashes.");

    $("#signupForm").validate({
        rules: {
            "login": {
                required: true,
                loginRegex: true,
            }
        },
        messages: {
            "login": {
                required: "You must enter a login name",
                loginRegex: "Login format not valid"
            }
        }
    });
});

Problem

I am using the jquery validation plugin from: http://bassistance.de/jquery-plugins/jquery-plugin-validation/ How can I add a regex check on a particular textbox? I want to check to make sure the input is alphanumeric.

Original source