Add regex pattern validation (#87)

Author: cubahno

docs/validation.md

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ When `true`, no `Validate()` methods are generated. Use this if you don't need v
 
 ### `simple`
 
-When `true`, all struct types use simple `validate.Struct()` validation instead of custom validation logic. This produces cleaner code but doesn't support advanced features like union type validation.
+When `true`, all struct types use simple `validate.Struct()` validation instead of custom validation logic. This produces cleaner code but doesn't support advanced features like union type validation or regex `pattern` constraints.
 
 ### `response`
 
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ The following OpenAPI constraints are translated to validation tags:
 | `minItems` | `min=N` | arrays |
 | `maxItems` | `max=N` | arrays |
 | `enum` | custom switch | string, integer enums |
+| `pattern` | `runtime.ValidatePattern()` | strings |
+
+`pattern` is a regex, which `validate.Struct()` cannot express, so it is enforced
+wherever per-field/per-item validation is generated (full-mode structs, arrays, maps).
+It is not enforced in `simple` mode (see below).
 
 ## Generated Code Examples
 

examples/circular/mutual/gen.go

@@ -145,6 +145,11 @@ func (s GoSchema) NeedsValidation() bool {
 		return true
 	}
 
+	// If it carries a regex pattern, it needs validation
+	if s.needsPatternValidation() {
+		return true
+	}
+
 	// If it has union elements, it needs validation
 	if len(s.UnionElements) > 0 {
 		return true
@@ -157,6 +162,10 @@ func (s GoSchema) NeedsValidation() bool {
 			if len(prop.Constraints.ValidationTags) > 0 {
 				return true
 			}
+			// Property carries a regex pattern
+			if prop.needsPatternValidation() {
+				return true
+			}
 			// Property needs custom validation (RefType, struct, union, etc.)
 			if prop.needsCustomValidation() {
 				return true
@@ -216,6 +225,68 @@ func (s GoSchema) NeedsValidation() bool {
 	return true
 }
 
+// ValidateDecl generates the body of the Validate() method for this schema.
+// It returns the Go code that should appear inside the Validate() method.
+// The alias parameter is the receiver variable name (e.g., "p" for "func (p Person) Validate()").
+// The validatorVar parameter is the name of the validator variable to use (e.g., "bodyTypesValidate").
+func (s GoSchema) ValidateDecl(alias string, validatorVar string) string {
+	return s.ValidateDeclWithOptions(alias, validatorVar, false)
+}
+
+// ValidateDeclWithOptions generates the body of the Validate() method for this schema with options.
+// The forceSimple parameter forces the use of simple validation (validate.Struct()) even for complex types.
+func (s GoSchema) ValidateDeclWithOptions(alias string, validatorVar string, forceSimple bool) string {
+	// If forceSimple is true, always use simple validation for structs
+	if forceSimple && isStructType(s) {
+		return generateSimpleStructValidation(s, alias, validatorVar)
+	}
+
+	// OPTIMIZATION: If this is a struct with no unions anywhere in its tree,
+	// AND no properties need custom validation (like RefTypes),
+	// we can use the simple validate.Struct() approach instead of custom validation.
+	// This is much cleaner and more efficient.
+	if canUseSimpleStructValidation(s) {
+		return generateSimpleStructValidation(s, alias, validatorVar)
+	}
+
+	// Handle array types
+	if isArrayType(s) {
+		return generateArrayValidation(s, alias, validatorVar)
+	}
+
+	// If this schema has a RefType set, it means it's a reference to another type
+	// In this case, we should delegate validation to the underlying type
+	if isRefTypeDelegation(s) {
+		return generateRefTypeDelegation(s, alias)
+	}
+
+	// If this schema has properties but GoType is a reference to another type
+	// (not a struct/map/slice), delegate to the underlying type
+	if isTypeAliasDelegation(s) {
+		return generateTypeAliasDelegation(s, alias)
+	}
+
+	// Handle map types (from additionalProperties)
+	if isMapType(s) && !hasCustomValidation(s) {
+		return generateMapValidation(s, alias, validatorVar)
+	}
+
+	// For other non-struct types (slices, primitives) without custom validation
+	if !hasCustomValidation(s) {
+		return generateNonStructValidation(s, alias, validatorVar)
+	}
+
+	// Generate custom validation for struct properties
+	return generateCustomPropertyValidation(s, alias, validatorVar)
+}
+
+// needsPatternValidation reports whether this schema carries an enforceable regex pattern.
+func (s GoSchema) needsPatternValidation() bool {
+	return s.Constraints.hasPattern() &&
+		isPatternValidatable(s.TypeDecl()) &&
+		patternCompiles(*s.Constraints.Pattern)
+}
+
 // ContainsUnions returns true if this schema or any of its nested schemas contain union types.
 // This is used to determine if we can use simple validate.Struct() or need custom validation logic.
 func (s GoSchema) ContainsUnions() bool {

examples/client/example1/example1/headers.go

@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@ func (c Constraints) Count() int {
 	return count
 }
 
+// hasPattern reports whether these constraints carry a non-empty regex pattern.
+func (c Constraints) hasPattern() bool {
+	return c.Pattern != nil && *c.Pattern != ""
+}
+
 func newConstraints(schema *base.Schema, opts ConstraintsContext) Constraints {
 	if schema == nil {
 		return Constraints{}

pkg/codegen/schema.go

@@ -162,6 +162,14 @@ func (p Property) needsCustomValidation() bool {
 	return true
 }
 
+// needsPatternValidation reports whether this property carries an enforceable regex pattern
+// (resolved from its schema, including $ref targets).
+func (p Property) needsPatternValidation() bool {
+	return p.Constraints.hasPattern() &&
+		isPatternValidatable(p.Schema.TypeDecl()) &&
+		patternCompiles(*p.Constraints.Pattern)
+}
+
 func createPropertyGoFieldName(jsonName string, extensions map[string]any) string {
 	goFieldName := jsonName
 	if extension, ok := extensions[extGoName]; ok {