== Why is this an issue?

When using POSIX classes like `\p{Alpha}` without the `(?U)` to include Unicode characters or when using hard-coded character classes like `"[a-zA-Z]"`, letters outside of the ASCII range, such as umlauts, accented letters or letter from non-Latin languages, won't be matched. This may cause code to incorrectly handle input containing such letters.


To correctly handle non-ASCII input, it is recommended to use Unicode classes like `\p{IsAlphabetic}`. When using POSIX classes, Unicode support should be enabled by using `(?U)` inside the regex.


=== Noncompliant code example

[source,kotlin]
----
Regex("[a-zA-Z]")
Regex("\\p{Alpha}")
Regex("""\p{Alpha}""")
----


=== Compliant solution

[source,kotlin]
----
Regex("""\p{IsAlphabetic}""") // matches all letters from all languages
Regex("""\p{IsLatin}""") // matches latin letters, including umlauts and other non-ASCII variations
Regex("""(?U)\p{Alpha}""")
Regex("(?U)\\p{Alpha}")
----


ifdef::env-github,rspecator-view[]

'''
== Implementation Specification
(visible only on this page)

=== Message

* when using plain character classes: Replace this character range with a Unicode-aware character class.
* when using POSIX classes: Use a Unicode-aware alternative or "(?U)".


include::../highlighting.adoc[]

endif::env-github,rspecator-view[]