Question: I am trying to validate a date entered into a text box. There is an input mask on the textbox which forces input of xx/xx/xxxx. I am trying to use a regular expression validator to enforce that a correct date is entered. I am not skilled in RegEx bascially at all. My co-worker found this one on the internet but I can't really tell what it's doing.

Does this look right? Seems overly complicated...

```
(^((((0[1-9])|([1-2][0-9])|(3[0-1]))|([1-9]))\x2F(((0[1-9])|(1[0-2]))|([1-9]))\x2F(([0-9]{2})|(((19)|([2]([0]{1})))([0-9]{2}))))$)

```

Does anyone know of a less complex expression that essentially does what I need?

Answer: 
This would be correct regular expression to use for date format dd/mm/yyyy

```
^(0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])[- /.](0[1-9]|1[012])[- /.](19|20)\d\d$

```
Kettenbach had a problem.
His co-worker suggested using regexs.
Kettenbach then had two problems.

As others have said, use `DateTime.TryParse` or `DateTime.TryParseExact` on a custom validator and save yourself the nightmare that is regex :)