== Why is this an issue? include::../description.adoc[] === Noncompliant code example [source,javascript] ---- /(?:)*/ // same as the empty regex, the '*' accomplishes nothing /(?:|x)*/ // same as the empty regex, the alternative has no effect /(?:x|)*/ // same as 'x*', the empty alternative has no effect /(?:x*|y*)*/ // same as 'x*', the first alternative would always match, y* is never tried /(?:x?)*/ // same as 'x*' /(?:x?)+/ // same as 'x*' ---- === Compliant solution [source,javascript] ---- /x*/ ----