grabbing file number from article042.html?

I'm trying to get the number of a file where the filename= article00x.html. The dir looks like: 2001/article001.html, article002.html... Currently I'm grabbing it using the following code: $path_info = preg_split("/\//i", $PHP_SELF,-1, PREG_SPLIT_NO_EMPTY); $current_file = end($path_info); $current_year = prev($path_info); // gives me the year. // is it a valid article name? if (preg_match('/^' . ARTICLE_BASE_NAME . '\d{3}\.html$/i', $current_file) ) { *** $result = preg_split("/^" . ARTICLE_BASE_NAME . "/i", $current_file,-1, PREG_SPLIT_NO_EMPTY); *** $result = preg_split("/.html/i", end($result),-1, PREG_SPLIT_NO_EMPTY); ^ | $filenumber = (int)reset($result); | Is this the best way to do it? I have had no experience with Reg ex before this so fire away!