I was missing the trailing > in my pattern but you are still right (as is the article) It's been fun to note the benchmarks: all tested against the string:

I was missing the trailing > in my pattern but you are still right (as is the article) It's been fun to note the benchmarks: all tested against the string: <a href="sdfsdf">sefsefsefsef</a> 1. (?!>).*?> 2 matches, 41 steps 2. (?:(?!>).)*>? 3 matches, 142 steps 3. (typo?) (?:(?!>).)*?> 2 matches, 161 steps 4. [^>]*?> 2 matches, 6 steps 5. [^>]*> 2 matches, 6 steps