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---
layout: default
title: Inline Parsing
description: Parsing inline elements with a custom parser
---
# Inline Parsing
There are two ways to implement custom inline syntax:
- Inline Parsers (covered here)
- [Delimiter Processors](/2.1/customization/delimiter-processing/)
The difference between normal inlines and delimiter-run-based inlines is subtle but important to understand. In a nutshell, delimiter-run-based inlines:
- Are denoted by "wrapping" text with one or more characters before **and** after those inner contents
- Can contain other delimiter runs or inlines inside of them
An example of this would be emphasis:
```markdown
This is an example of **emphasis**. Note how the text is *wrapped* with the same character(s) before and after.
```
If your syntax looks like that, consider using a [delimiter processor](/2.1/customization/delimiter-processing/) instead. Otherwise, an inline parser is your best bet.
## Implementing Inline Parsers
Inline parsers should implement `InlineParserInterface` and the following two methods:
### getMatchDefinition()
This method should return an instance of `InlineParserMatch` which defines the text the parser is looking for. Examples of this might be something like:
```php
use League\CommonMark\Parser\Inline\InlineParserMatch;
InlineParserMatch::string('@'); // Match any '@' characters found in the text
InlineParserMatch::string('foo'); // Match the text 'foo' (case insensitive)
InlineParserMatch::oneOf('@', '!'); // Match either character
InlineParserMatch::oneOf('http://', 'https://'); // Match either string
InlineParserMatch::regex('\d+'); // Match the regular expression (omit the regex delimiters and any flags)
```
Once a match is found, the `parse()` method below may be called.
### parse()
This method will be called if both conditions are met:
1. The engine has found at a matching string in the current line; and,
2. No other inline parsers with a [higher priority](/2.1/customization/environment/#addinlineparser) have successfully parsed the text at this point in the line
#### Parameters
- `InlineParserContext $inlineContext` - Encapsulates the current state of the inline parser - see more information below.
##### InlineParserContext
This class has several useful methods:
- `getContainer()` - Returns the current container block the inline text was found in. You'll almost always call `$inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(...)` to add the parsed inline text inside that block.
- `getReferenceMap()` - Returns the document's reference map
- `getCursor()` - Returns the current [`Cursor`](/2.1/customization/cursor/) used to parse the current line. (Note that the cursor will be positioned **before** the matched text, so you must advance it yourself if you determine it's a valid match)
- `getDelimiterStack()` - Returns the current delimiter stack. Only used in advanced use cases.
- `getFullMatch()` - Returns the full string that matched you `InlineParserMatch` definition
- `getFullMatchLength()` - Returns the length of the full match - useful for advancing the cursor
- `getSubMatches()` - If your `InlineParserMatch` used a regular expression with capture groups, this will return the text matches by those groups.
- `getMatches()` - Returns an array where index `0` is the "full match", plus any sub-matches. It basically simulates `preg_match()`'s behavior.
#### Return value
`parse()` should return `false` if it's unable to handle the text at the current position for any reason. Other parsers will then have a chance to try parsing that text. If all registered parsers return false, the text will be added as plain text.
Returning `true` tells the engine that you've successfully parsed the character (and related ones after it). It is your responsibility to:
1. Advance the cursor to the end of the parsed/matched text
2. Add the parsed inline to the container (`$inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(...)`)
## Inline Parser Examples
### Example 1 - Twitter Handles
Let's say you wanted to autolink Twitter handles without using the link syntax. This could be accomplished by registering a new inline parser to handle the `@` character:
```php
use League\CommonMark\Environment\Environment;
use League\CommonMark\Extension\CommonMark\CommonMarkCoreExtension;
use League\CommonMark\Extension\CommonMark\Node\Inline\Link;
use League\CommonMark\Parser\Inline\InlineParserInterface;
use League\CommonMark\Parser\Inline\InlineParserMatch;
use League\CommonMark\Parser\InlineParserContext;
class TwitterHandleParser implements InlineParserInterface
{
public function getMatchDefinition(): InlineParserMatch
{
return InlineParserMatch::regex('@([A-Za-z0-9_]{1,15}(?!\w))');
}
public function parse(InlineParserContext $inlineContext): bool
{
$cursor = $inlineContext->getCursor();
// The @ symbol must not have any other characters immediately prior
$previousChar = $cursor->peek(-1);
if ($previousChar !== null && $previousChar !== ' ') {
// peek() doesn't modify the cursor, so no need to restore state first
return false;
}
// This seems to be a valid match
// Advance the cursor to the end of the match
$cursor->advanceBy($inlineContext->getFullMatchLength());
// Grab the Twitter handle
[$handle] = $inlineContext->getSubMatches();
$profileUrl = 'https://twitter.com/' . $handle;
$inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(new Link($profileUrl, '@' . $handle));
return true;
}
}
// And here's how to hook it up:
$environment = new Environment();
$environment->addExtension(new CommonMarkCoreExtension());
$environment->addInlineParser(new TwitterHandleParser());
```
### Example 2 - Emoticons
Let's say you want to automatically convert smilies (or "frownies") to emoticon images. This is incredibly easy with an inline parser:
```php
use League\CommonMark\Environment\Environment;
use League\CommonMark\Extension\CommonMark\Node\Inline\Image;
use League\CommonMark\Parser\Inline\InlineParserInterface;
use League\CommonMark\Parser\Inline\InlineParserMatch;
use League\CommonMark\Parser\InlineParserContext;
class SmilieParser implements InlineParserInterface
{
public function getMatchDefinition(): InlineParserMatch
{
return InlineParserMatch::oneOf(':)', ':(');
}
public function parse(InlineParserContext $inlineContext): bool
{
$cursor = $inlineContext->getCursor();
// Advance the cursor past the 2 matched chars since we're able to parse them successfully
$cursor->advanceBy(2);
// Add the corresponding image
if ($inlineContext->getFullMatch() === ':)') {
$inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(new Image('/img/happy.png'));
} elseif ($inlineContext->getFullMatch() === ':(') {
$inlineContext->getContainer()->appendChild(new Image('/img/sad.png'));
}
return true;
}
}
$environment = new Environment();
$environment->addExtension(new CommonMarkCoreExtension());
$environment->addInlineParser(new SmilieParserParser());
```
## Tips
- For best performance:
- Avoid using overly-complex regular expressions in `getMatchDefinition()` - use the simplest regex you can and have `parse()` do the heavier validation
- Have your `parse()` method `return false` **as soon as possible**.
- You can `peek()` without modifying the cursor state. This makes it useful for validating nearby characters as it's quick and you can bail without needed to restore state.
- You can look at (and modify) any part of the AST if needed (via `$inlineContext->getContainer()`).
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