Shortening a URL with preg_replace

What would be the easiest way to shorten a URL with preg_replace? Let's say a URL looks like this:

http:/ /someurl.com/file_1/something_else/new/file_2.html

I want to reduce it to let's say 30 characters:

http:/ /someurl.com/file_1/some...

Thanks!

I think there's a little more to it if you still want the link to work ;)

Have a look at this: https://github.com/briancray/PHP-URL-Shortener

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beverleyh

I think there's a little more to it if you still want the link to work ;)

Have a look at this: https://github.com/briancray/PHP-URL-Shortener

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Actually, no, I don't want it to work. I just want it for a preview and it doesn't matter if it works or not.

In that case, why not use substr() http://ca3.php.net/manual/en/function.substr.php