Greppy

greppy.php

<?php

// Matches a single char. Equivalent to: /./

Pattern::char()->test('a');         //true
Pattern::char()->replace('a', 'b'); //b
Pattern::char()->match('a');        //array('a') (captures groups)

// Possible "steps":

Pattern::char();
Pattern::char('A-Z');           // Range [A-Z]
Pattern::char('a', 'b', 'c-d'); // List [abc-d]

Pattern::none('a'); // [^a] (same as char but negating)

Pattern::grouping(
    Pattern::char('a'), 
    Pattern::char('b')
); // ([a]|[b])

Pattern::hidden(
    Pattern::char('a'), 
    Pattern::char('b')
); // (?:[a]|[b])

Pattern::grouping('a', 'b'); // Same as above

Pattern::digit()->count('*'); // \d*
Pattern::digit()->count(1);   // \d{1}
Pattern::digit()->count(2,3); // \d{2,3}
Pattern::digit()->max(3);     // \d{,3}
Pattern::digit()->min(2);     // \d{2,}

Pattern::beginLine()->char()->count('*')->endLine(); // ^.*$
Pattern::line(Pattern::char()->count('*')); // ^.*$

I'm not sure if I would expose an API for the preg_ related functions.

Pattern::char()->test('a');         //true
Pattern::char()->replace('a', 'b'); //b
Pattern::char()->match('a');        //array('a') (captures groups)

Maybe using it the usual way looks more verbose:

preg_match(Pattern::char());

About this:

Pattern::digit()->count('*');
Pattern::digit()->count(1); 

I think a method for the actual intent is more verbose:

Pattern::digit()->any();
Pattern::digit()->exactly(1); 

This:

Pattern::beginLine()->char()->count('*')->endLine(); // ^.*$
Pattern::line(Pattern::char()->count('*')); // ^.*$

I prefer the first way, it's definitely more fluent.