freeCodeCamp/curriculum/challenges/english/02-javascript-algorithms-and-data-structures/regular-expressions/match-all-letters-and-numbers.md

---
id: 587d7db7367417b2b2512b9f
title: Match All Letters and Numbers
challengeType: 1
forumTopicId: 301346
dashedName: match-all-letters-and-numbers
---

# --description--

Using character classes, you were able to search for all letters of the alphabet with `[a-z]`. This kind of character class is common enough that there is a shortcut for it, although it includes a few extra characters as well.

The closest character class in JavaScript to match the alphabet is `\w`. This shortcut is equal to `[A-Za-z0-9_]`. This character class matches upper and lowercase letters plus numbers. Note, this character class also includes the underscore character (`_`).

```js
let longHand = /[A-Za-z0-9_]+/;
let shortHand = /\w+/;
let numbers = "42";
let varNames = "important_var";
longHand.test(numbers);
shortHand.test(numbers);
longHand.test(varNames);
shortHand.test(varNames);
```

All four of these `test` calls would return `true`.

These shortcut character classes are also known as <dfn>shorthand character classes</dfn>.

# --instructions--

Use the shorthand character class `\w` to count the number of alphanumeric characters in various quotes and strings.

# --hints--

Your regex should use the global flag.

```js
assert(alphabetRegexV2.global);
```

Your regex should use the shorthand character `\w` to match all characters which are alphanumeric.

```js
assert(/\\w/.test(alphabetRegexV2.source));
```

Your regex should find 31 alphanumeric characters in the string `The five boxing wizards jump quickly.`

```js
assert(
  'The five boxing wizards jump quickly.'.match(alphabetRegexV2).length === 31
);
```

Your regex should find 32 alphanumeric characters in the string `Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs.`

```js
assert(
  'Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs.'.match(alphabetRegexV2).length ===
    32
);
```

Your regex should find 30 alphanumeric characters in the string `How vexingly quick daft zebras jump!`

```js
assert(
  'How vexingly quick daft zebras jump!'.match(alphabetRegexV2).length === 30
);
```

Your regex should find 36 alphanumeric characters in the string `123 456 7890 ABC def GHI jkl MNO pqr STU vwx YZ.`

```js
assert(
  '123 456 7890 ABC def GHI jkl MNO pqr STU vwx YZ.'.match(alphabetRegexV2)
    .length === 36
);
```

# --seed--

## --seed-contents--

```js
let quoteSample = "The five boxing wizards jump quickly.";
let alphabetRegexV2 = /change/; // Change this line
let result = quoteSample.match(alphabetRegexV2).length;
```

# --solutions--

```js
let quoteSample = "The five boxing wizards jump quickly.";
let alphabetRegexV2 = /\w/g; // Change this line
let result = quoteSample.match(alphabetRegexV2).length;
```