Php regexp get the strings from array print_r like string - php

Question

Im trying to list out here how to match strings that looks like array printr.
variable_data[0][var_name]
I would like to get from above example 3 strings, variable_data, 0 and var_name.
That above example is saved in DB so i same structure of array could be recreated but im stuck. Also a if case should look up IF the string (as above) is in that structure, otherwise no preg_match is needed.
Note: i dont want to serialize that array since the array 'may' contain some characters that might break it when unserializing and i also need that value in the array to be fully visible.
Any one with regexp skills who might know the approach ?
Solution:
(\b([\w]*[\w]).\b([\w]*[\w]).+(\b[\w]*[\w]))
Thos 2 first indexes should be skipped... but i still get what i want :)

Answer 1

Not for nothing but couldn't you just do..
$result = explode('[', someString);
foreach ($result as $i => $v) {
$temp = str_replace(']'. ''. $result[$i]);
//Do something with temp
}
Obviously you need to edit the above a little bit depending on what you are doing but it is very simple and even gives you the same flexibility and you don't need to invoke the matching engine...
I don't think we build regex's here for people... instead please see http://regexpal.com/ for a Regex tester / builder with visual aid.
Furthermore people usually don't know how to use them properly which is then fostered by others creating the expressions for them.
Please remember complex expressions can have terrible performance overheads although there is nothing seemingly complex about your request...
Then after it is compelte post your completed RegEx and answer your own question for maximum 1337ne$$ :)
But since I am nice here is your reward:
\[.+\]\[\d+\]
or
[a-z]+_[a-z]+\[.+\]\[\d+\]
Depending on what you want to match out of the string (which you didn't specify) so I assumed all
Both perform as follows:
arr_var[name][0]; //Matched
arr_var[name]; //Not matched
arr_var[name][0][1];//Matched
arr_var[name][2220][11];//Matched
Again, test them and understand with visual aid at the above link.

Answer 2

Solution:
(\b([\w]*[\w]).\b([\w]*[\w]).+(\b[\w]*[\w]))
Those 2 first indexes should be skipped... but i still get what i want :)
Edit
Here is improved one:
$str = "variable[group1][parent][child][grandchild]";
preg_match_all('/(\b([\w]*[\w]))/', $str,$matches);
echo '<pre>';
print_r($matches);
echo '</pre>';
// Output
Array
(
[0] => variable
[1] => group1
[2] => parent
[3] => child
[4] => grandchild
)