Mercurial > emacs
annotate lispref/searching.texi @ 70695:c91b342afed1
(display_tool_bar_line): Restore entire tool-bar geometry when
backtracking in case last image doesn't fit on line.
(display_tool_bar_line): Don't adjust tool-bar height by more than
height of one frame default line. From: MIYOSHI Masanori.
author | Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk> |
---|---|
date | Wed, 17 May 2006 22:24:13 +0000 |
parents | f03812b51969 |
children | 0e29340d15dc |
rev | line source |
---|---|
6552 | 1 @c -*-texinfo-*- |
2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. | |
64889
e836425ee789
Update years in copyright notice; nfc.
Thien-Thi Nguyen <ttn@gnuvola.org>
parents:
64115
diff
changeset
|
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, |
68648
067115a6e738
Update years in copyright notice; nfc.
Thien-Thi Nguyen <ttn@gnuvola.org>
parents:
65182
diff
changeset
|
4 @c 2004, 2005, 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
6552 | 5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. |
6 @setfilename ../info/searching | |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
7 @node Searching and Matching, Syntax Tables, Non-ASCII Characters, Top |
6552 | 8 @chapter Searching and Matching |
9 @cindex searching | |
10 | |
11 GNU Emacs provides two ways to search through a buffer for specified | |
12 text: exact string searches and regular expression searches. After a | |
13 regular expression search, you can examine the @dfn{match data} to | |
14 determine which text matched the whole regular expression or various | |
15 portions of it. | |
16 | |
17 @menu | |
18 * String Search:: Search for an exact match. | |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
19 * Searching and Case:: Case-independent or case-significant searching. |
6552 | 20 * Regular Expressions:: Describing classes of strings. |
21 * Regexp Search:: Searching for a match for a regexp. | |
12067 | 22 * POSIX Regexps:: Searching POSIX-style for the longest match. |
54041 | 23 * Match Data:: Finding out which part of the text matched, |
24 after a string or regexp search. | |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
25 * Search and Replace:: Commands that loop, searching and replacing. |
6552 | 26 * Standard Regexps:: Useful regexps for finding sentences, pages,... |
27 @end menu | |
28 | |
29 The @samp{skip-chars@dots{}} functions also perform a kind of searching. | |
30 @xref{Skipping Characters}. | |
31 | |
32 @node String Search | |
33 @section Searching for Strings | |
34 @cindex string search | |
35 | |
36 These are the primitive functions for searching through the text in a | |
37 buffer. They are meant for use in programs, but you may call them | |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
38 interactively. If you do so, they prompt for the search string; the |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
39 arguments @var{limit} and @var{noerror} are @code{nil}, and @var{repeat} |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
40 is 1. |
6552 | 41 |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
42 These search functions convert the search string to multibyte if the |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
43 buffer is multibyte; they convert the search string to unibyte if the |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
44 buffer is unibyte. @xref{Text Representations}. |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
45 |
6552 | 46 @deffn Command search-forward string &optional limit noerror repeat |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
47 This function searches forward from point for an exact match for |
6552 | 48 @var{string}. If successful, it sets point to the end of the occurrence |
49 found, and returns the new value of point. If no match is found, the | |
50 value and side effects depend on @var{noerror} (see below). | |
51 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
52 | |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
53 In the following example, point is initially at the beginning of the |
6552 | 54 line. Then @code{(search-forward "fox")} moves point after the last |
55 letter of @samp{fox}: | |
56 | |
57 @example | |
58 @group | |
59 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
60 @point{}The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. | |
61 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
62 @end group | |
63 | |
64 @group | |
65 (search-forward "fox") | |
66 @result{} 20 | |
67 | |
68 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
69 The quick brown fox@point{} jumped over the lazy dog. | |
70 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
71 @end group | |
72 @end example | |
73 | |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
74 The argument @var{limit} specifies the upper bound to the search. (It |
6552 | 75 must be a position in the current buffer.) No match extending after |
76 that position is accepted. If @var{limit} is omitted or @code{nil}, it | |
77 defaults to the end of the accessible portion of the buffer. | |
78 | |
79 @kindex search-failed | |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
80 What happens when the search fails depends on the value of |
6552 | 81 @var{noerror}. If @var{noerror} is @code{nil}, a @code{search-failed} |
82 error is signaled. If @var{noerror} is @code{t}, @code{search-forward} | |
83 returns @code{nil} and does nothing. If @var{noerror} is neither | |
84 @code{nil} nor @code{t}, then @code{search-forward} moves point to the | |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
85 upper bound and returns @code{nil}. (It would be more consistent now to |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
86 return the new position of point in that case, but some existing |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
87 programs may depend on a value of @code{nil}.) |
6552 | 88 |
70089
3e2a72a06085
(String Search): Clarify effect of NOERROR.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
69413
diff
changeset
|
89 The argument @var{noerror} only affects valid searches which fail to |
3e2a72a06085
(String Search): Clarify effect of NOERROR.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
69413
diff
changeset
|
90 find a match. Invalid arguments cause errors regardless of |
3e2a72a06085
(String Search): Clarify effect of NOERROR.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
69413
diff
changeset
|
91 @var{noerror}. |
3e2a72a06085
(String Search): Clarify effect of NOERROR.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
69413
diff
changeset
|
92 |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
93 If @var{repeat} is supplied (it must be a positive number), then the |
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
94 search is repeated that many times (each time starting at the end of the |
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
95 previous time's match). If these successive searches succeed, the |
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
96 function succeeds, moving point and returning its new value. Otherwise |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
97 the search fails, with results depending on the value of |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
98 @var{noerror}, as described above. |
6552 | 99 @end deffn |
100 | |
101 @deffn Command search-backward string &optional limit noerror repeat | |
102 This function searches backward from point for @var{string}. It is | |
103 just like @code{search-forward} except that it searches backwards and | |
104 leaves point at the beginning of the match. | |
105 @end deffn | |
106 | |
107 @deffn Command word-search-forward string &optional limit noerror repeat | |
108 @cindex word search | |
109 This function searches forward from point for a ``word'' match for | |
110 @var{string}. If it finds a match, it sets point to the end of the | |
111 match found, and returns the new value of point. | |
112 @c Emacs 19 feature | |
113 | |
114 Word matching regards @var{string} as a sequence of words, disregarding | |
115 punctuation that separates them. It searches the buffer for the same | |
116 sequence of words. Each word must be distinct in the buffer (searching | |
117 for the word @samp{ball} does not match the word @samp{balls}), but the | |
118 details of punctuation and spacing are ignored (searching for @samp{ball | |
119 boy} does match @samp{ball. Boy!}). | |
120 | |
121 In this example, point is initially at the beginning of the buffer; the | |
122 search leaves it between the @samp{y} and the @samp{!}. | |
123 | |
124 @example | |
125 @group | |
126 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
127 @point{}He said "Please! Find | |
128 the ball boy!" | |
129 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
130 @end group | |
131 | |
132 @group | |
133 (word-search-forward "Please find the ball, boy.") | |
134 @result{} 35 | |
135 | |
136 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
137 He said "Please! Find | |
138 the ball boy@point{}!" | |
139 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
140 @end group | |
141 @end example | |
142 | |
60678
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
143 If @var{limit} is non-@code{nil}, it must be a position in the current |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
144 buffer; it specifies the upper bound to the search. The match found |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
145 must not extend after that position. |
6552 | 146 |
147 If @var{noerror} is @code{nil}, then @code{word-search-forward} signals | |
148 an error if the search fails. If @var{noerror} is @code{t}, then it | |
149 returns @code{nil} instead of signaling an error. If @var{noerror} is | |
150 neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, it moves point to @var{limit} (or the | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
151 end of the accessible portion of the buffer) and returns @code{nil}. |
6552 | 152 |
153 If @var{repeat} is non-@code{nil}, then the search is repeated that many | |
154 times. Point is positioned at the end of the last match. | |
155 @end deffn | |
156 | |
157 @deffn Command word-search-backward string &optional limit noerror repeat | |
158 This function searches backward from point for a word match to | |
159 @var{string}. This function is just like @code{word-search-forward} | |
160 except that it searches backward and normally leaves point at the | |
161 beginning of the match. | |
162 @end deffn | |
163 | |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
164 @node Searching and Case |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
165 @section Searching and Case |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
166 @cindex searching and case |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
167 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
168 By default, searches in Emacs ignore the case of the text they are |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
169 searching through; if you specify searching for @samp{FOO}, then |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
170 @samp{Foo} or @samp{foo} is also considered a match. This applies to |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
171 regular expressions, too; thus, @samp{[aB]} would match @samp{a} or |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
172 @samp{A} or @samp{b} or @samp{B}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
173 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
174 If you do not want this feature, set the variable |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
175 @code{case-fold-search} to @code{nil}. Then all letters must match |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
176 exactly, including case. This is a buffer-local variable; altering the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
177 variable affects only the current buffer. (@xref{Intro to |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
178 Buffer-Local}.) Alternatively, you may change the value of |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
179 @code{default-case-fold-search}, which is the default value of |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
180 @code{case-fold-search} for buffers that do not override it. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
181 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
182 Note that the user-level incremental search feature handles case |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
183 distinctions differently. When given a lower case letter, it looks for |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
184 a match of either case, but when given an upper case letter, it looks |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
185 for an upper case letter only. But this has nothing to do with the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
186 searching functions used in Lisp code. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
187 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
188 @defopt case-replace |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
189 This variable determines whether the higher level replacement |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
190 functions should preserve case. If the variable is @code{nil}, that |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
191 means to use the replacement text verbatim. A non-@code{nil} value |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
192 means to convert the case of the replacement text according to the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
193 text being replaced. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
194 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
195 This variable is used by passing it as an argument to the function |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
196 @code{replace-match}. @xref{Replacing Match}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
197 @end defopt |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
198 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
199 @defopt case-fold-search |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
200 This buffer-local variable determines whether searches should ignore |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
201 case. If the variable is @code{nil} they do not ignore case; otherwise |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
202 they do ignore case. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
203 @end defopt |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
204 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
205 @defvar default-case-fold-search |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
206 The value of this variable is the default value for |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
207 @code{case-fold-search} in buffers that do not override it. This is the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
208 same as @code{(default-value 'case-fold-search)}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
209 @end defvar |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
210 |
6552 | 211 @node Regular Expressions |
212 @section Regular Expressions | |
213 @cindex regular expression | |
214 @cindex regexp | |
215 | |
216 A @dfn{regular expression} (@dfn{regexp}, for short) is a pattern that | |
217 denotes a (possibly infinite) set of strings. Searching for matches for | |
218 a regexp is a very powerful operation. This section explains how to write | |
219 regexps; the following section says how to search for them. | |
220 | |
64915
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
221 @findex re-builder |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
222 @cindex authoring regular expressions |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
223 For convenient interactive development of regular expressions, you |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
224 can use the @kbd{M-x re-builder} command. It provides a convenient |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
225 interface for creating regular expressions, by giving immediate visual |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
226 feedback in a separate buffer. As you edit the regexp, all its |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
227 matches in the target buffer are highlighted. Each parenthesized |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
228 sub-expression of the regexp is shown in a distinct face, which makes |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
229 it easier to verify even very complex regexps. |
3e6c73954fda
(Regular Expressions): Document re-builder.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
64889
diff
changeset
|
230 |
6552 | 231 @menu |
232 * Syntax of Regexps:: Rules for writing regular expressions. | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
233 * Regexp Example:: Illustrates regular expression syntax. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
234 * Regexp Functions:: Functions for operating on regular expressions. |
6552 | 235 @end menu |
236 | |
237 @node Syntax of Regexps | |
238 @subsection Syntax of Regular Expressions | |
239 | |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
240 Regular expressions have a syntax in which a few characters are |
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
241 special constructs and the rest are @dfn{ordinary}. An ordinary |
69330
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
242 character is a simple regular expression that matches that character |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
243 and nothing else. The special characters are @samp{.}, @samp{*}, |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
244 @samp{+}, @samp{?}, @samp{[}, @samp{^}, @samp{$}, and @samp{\}; no new |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
245 special characters will be defined in the future. The character |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
246 @samp{]} is special if it ends a character alternative (see later). |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
247 The character @samp{-} is special inside a character alternative. A |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
248 @samp{[:} and balancing @samp{:]} enclose a character class inside a |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
249 character alternative. Any other character appearing in a regular |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
250 expression is ordinary, unless a @samp{\} precedes it. |
6552 | 251 |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
252 For example, @samp{f} is not a special character, so it is ordinary, and |
6552 | 253 therefore @samp{f} is a regular expression that matches the string |
254 @samp{f} and no other string. (It does @emph{not} match the string | |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
255 @samp{fg}, but it does match a @emph{part} of that string.) Likewise, |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
256 @samp{o} is a regular expression that matches only @samp{o}.@refill |
6552 | 257 |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
258 Any two regular expressions @var{a} and @var{b} can be concatenated. The |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
259 result is a regular expression that matches a string if @var{a} matches |
6552 | 260 some amount of the beginning of that string and @var{b} matches the rest of |
261 the string.@refill | |
262 | |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
263 As a simple example, we can concatenate the regular expressions @samp{f} |
6552 | 264 and @samp{o} to get the regular expression @samp{fo}, which matches only |
265 the string @samp{fo}. Still trivial. To do something more powerful, you | |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
266 need to use one of the special regular expression constructs. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
267 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
268 @menu |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
269 * Regexp Special:: Special characters in regular expressions. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
270 * Char Classes:: Character classes used in regular expressions. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
271 * Regexp Backslash:: Backslash-sequences in regular expressions. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
272 @end menu |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
273 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
274 @node Regexp Special |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
275 @subsubsection Special Characters in Regular Expressions |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
276 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
277 Here is a list of the characters that are special in a regular |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
278 expression. |
6552 | 279 |
22274
f0cd03a7dac9
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
22252
diff
changeset
|
280 @need 800 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
281 @table @asis |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
282 @item @samp{.}@: @r{(Period)} |
6552 | 283 @cindex @samp{.} in regexp |
284 is a special character that matches any single character except a newline. | |
285 Using concatenation, we can make regular expressions like @samp{a.b}, which | |
286 matches any three-character string that begins with @samp{a} and ends with | |
287 @samp{b}.@refill | |
288 | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
289 @item @samp{*} |
6552 | 290 @cindex @samp{*} in regexp |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
291 is not a construct by itself; it is a postfix operator that means to |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
292 match the preceding regular expression repetitively as many times as |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
293 possible. Thus, @samp{o*} matches any number of @samp{o}s (including no |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
294 @samp{o}s). |
6552 | 295 |
296 @samp{*} always applies to the @emph{smallest} possible preceding | |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
297 expression. Thus, @samp{fo*} has a repeating @samp{o}, not a repeating |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
298 @samp{fo}. It matches @samp{f}, @samp{fo}, @samp{foo}, and so on. |
6552 | 299 |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
300 The matcher processes a @samp{*} construct by matching, immediately, as |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
301 many repetitions as can be found. Then it continues with the rest of |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
302 the pattern. If that fails, backtracking occurs, discarding some of the |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
303 matches of the @samp{*}-modified construct in the hope that that will |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
304 make it possible to match the rest of the pattern. For example, in |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
305 matching @samp{ca*ar} against the string @samp{caaar}, the @samp{a*} |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
306 first tries to match all three @samp{a}s; but the rest of the pattern is |
6552 | 307 @samp{ar} and there is only @samp{r} left to match, so this try fails. |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
308 The next alternative is for @samp{a*} to match only two @samp{a}s. With |
70692
f03812b51969
(Regexp Special): Clarify nested regexp warning.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
70089
diff
changeset
|
309 this choice, the rest of the regexp matches successfully. |
6552 | 310 |
70692
f03812b51969
(Regexp Special): Clarify nested regexp warning.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
70089
diff
changeset
|
311 @strong{Warning:} Nested repetition operators take a long time, |
f03812b51969
(Regexp Special): Clarify nested regexp warning.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
70089
diff
changeset
|
312 or even forever, if they |
63583
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
313 lead to ambiguous matching. For example, trying to match the regular |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
314 expression @samp{\(x+y*\)*a} against the string |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
315 @samp{xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxz} could take hours before it |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
316 ultimately fails. Emacs must try each way of grouping the 35 |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
317 @samp{x}s before concluding that none of them can work. Even worse, |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
318 @samp{\(x*\)*} can match the null string in infinitely many ways, so |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
319 it causes an infinite loop. To avoid these problems, check nested |
70692
f03812b51969
(Regexp Special): Clarify nested regexp warning.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
70089
diff
changeset
|
320 repetitions carefully, to make sure that they do not cause combinatorial |
f03812b51969
(Regexp Special): Clarify nested regexp warning.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
70089
diff
changeset
|
321 explosions in backtracking. |
11651
f43818d3bbd8
Warn about nested repetition.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
10038
diff
changeset
|
322 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
323 @item @samp{+} |
6552 | 324 @cindex @samp{+} in regexp |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
325 is a postfix operator, similar to @samp{*} except that it must match |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
326 the preceding expression at least once. So, for example, @samp{ca+r} |
6552 | 327 matches the strings @samp{car} and @samp{caaaar} but not the string |
328 @samp{cr}, whereas @samp{ca*r} matches all three strings. | |
329 | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
330 @item @samp{?} |
6552 | 331 @cindex @samp{?} in regexp |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
332 is a postfix operator, similar to @samp{*} except that it must match the |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
333 preceding expression either once or not at all. For example, |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
334 @samp{ca?r} matches @samp{car} or @samp{cr}; nothing else. |
6552 | 335 |
27095
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
336 @item @samp{*?}, @samp{+?}, @samp{??} |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
337 These are ``non-greedy'' variants of the operators @samp{*}, @samp{+} |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
338 and @samp{?}. Where those operators match the largest possible |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
339 substring (consistent with matching the entire containing expression), |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
340 the non-greedy variants match the smallest possible substring |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
341 (consistent with matching the entire containing expression). |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
342 |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
343 For example, the regular expression @samp{c[ad]*a} when applied to the |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
344 string @samp{cdaaada} matches the whole string; but the regular |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
345 expression @samp{c[ad]*?a}, applied to that same string, matches just |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
346 @samp{cda}. (The smallest possible match here for @samp{[ad]*?} that |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
347 permits the whole expression to match is @samp{d}.) |
7cc86d68ccf8
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
26783
diff
changeset
|
348 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
349 @item @samp{[ @dots{} ]} |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
350 @cindex character alternative (in regexp) |
6552 | 351 @cindex @samp{[} in regexp |
352 @cindex @samp{]} in regexp | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
353 is a @dfn{character alternative}, which begins with @samp{[} and is |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
354 terminated by @samp{]}. In the simplest case, the characters between |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
355 the two brackets are what this character alternative can match. |
6552 | 356 |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
357 Thus, @samp{[ad]} matches either one @samp{a} or one @samp{d}, and |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
358 @samp{[ad]*} matches any string composed of just @samp{a}s and @samp{d}s |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
359 (including the empty string), from which it follows that @samp{c[ad]*r} |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
360 matches @samp{cr}, @samp{car}, @samp{cdr}, @samp{caddaar}, etc. |
6552 | 361 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
362 You can also include character ranges in a character alternative, by |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
363 writing the starting and ending characters with a @samp{-} between them. |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
364 Thus, @samp{[a-z]} matches any lower-case @acronym{ASCII} letter. |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
365 Ranges may be intermixed freely with individual characters, as in |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
366 @samp{[a-z$%.]}, which matches any lower case @acronym{ASCII} letter |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
367 or @samp{$}, @samp{%} or period. |
6552 | 368 |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
369 Note that the usual regexp special characters are not special inside a |
24934 | 370 character alternative. A completely different set of characters is |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
371 special inside character alternatives: @samp{]}, @samp{-} and @samp{^}. |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
372 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
373 To include a @samp{]} in a character alternative, you must make it the |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
374 first character. For example, @samp{[]a]} matches @samp{]} or @samp{a}. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
375 To include a @samp{-}, write @samp{-} as the first or last character of |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
376 the character alternative, or put it after a range. Thus, @samp{[]-]} |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
377 matches both @samp{]} and @samp{-}. |
6552 | 378 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
379 To include @samp{^} in a character alternative, put it anywhere but at |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
380 the beginning. |
6552 | 381 |
37842
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
382 The beginning and end of a range of multibyte characters must be in |
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
383 the same character set (@pxref{Character Sets}). Thus, |
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
384 @code{"[\x8e0-\x97c]"} is invalid because character 0x8e0 (@samp{a} |
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
385 with grave accent) is in the Emacs character set for Latin-1 but the |
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
386 character 0x97c (@samp{u} with diaeresis) is in the Emacs character |
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
387 set for Latin-2. (We use Lisp string syntax to write that example, |
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
388 and a few others in the next few paragraphs, in order to include hex |
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
389 escape sequences in them.) |
32464 | 390 |
391 If a range starts with a unibyte character @var{c} and ends with a | |
392 multibyte character @var{c2}, the range is divided into two parts: one | |
393 is @samp{@var{c}..?\377}, the other is @samp{@var{c1}..@var{c2}}, where | |
394 @var{c1} is the first character of the charset to which @var{c2} | |
395 belongs. | |
49600
23a1cea22d13
Trailing whitespace deleted.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
parents:
48701
diff
changeset
|
396 |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
397 You cannot always match all non-@acronym{ASCII} characters with the regular |
37842
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
398 expression @code{"[\200-\377]"}. This works when searching a unibyte |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
399 buffer or string (@pxref{Text Representations}), but not in a multibyte |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
400 buffer or string, because many non-@acronym{ASCII} characters have codes |
37842
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
401 above octal 0377. However, the regular expression @code{"[^\000-\177]"} |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
402 does match all non-@acronym{ASCII} characters (see below regarding @samp{^}), |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
403 in both multibyte and unibyte representations, because only the |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
404 @acronym{ASCII} characters are excluded. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
405 |
60453
0b5288fc6e21
(Regexp Special, Char Classes): Get rid of "Emacs 21".
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
58349
diff
changeset
|
406 A character alternative can also specify named |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
407 character classes (@pxref{Char Classes}). This is a POSIX feature whose |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
408 syntax is @samp{[:@var{class}:]}. Using a character class is equivalent |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
409 to mentioning each of the characters in that class; but the latter is |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
410 not feasible in practice, since some classes include thousands of |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
411 different characters. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
412 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
413 @item @samp{[^ @dots{} ]} |
6552 | 414 @cindex @samp{^} in regexp |
63583
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
415 @samp{[^} begins a @dfn{complemented character alternative}. This |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
416 matches any character except the ones specified. Thus, |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
417 @samp{[^a-z0-9A-Z]} matches all characters @emph{except} letters and |
99e9892a51d9
Fix formatting ugliness.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63469
diff
changeset
|
418 digits. |
6552 | 419 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
420 @samp{^} is not special in a character alternative unless it is the first |
6552 | 421 character. The character following the @samp{^} is treated as if it |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
422 were first (in other words, @samp{-} and @samp{]} are not special there). |
6552 | 423 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
424 A complemented character alternative can match a newline, unless newline is |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
425 mentioned as one of the characters not to match. This is in contrast to |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
426 the handling of regexps in programs such as @code{grep}. |
6552 | 427 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
428 @item @samp{^} |
6552 | 429 @cindex beginning of line in regexp |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
430 When matching a buffer, @samp{^} matches the empty string, but only at the |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
431 beginning of a line in the text being matched (or the beginning of the |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
432 accessible portion of the buffer). Otherwise it fails to match |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
433 anything. Thus, @samp{^foo} matches a @samp{foo} that occurs at the |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
434 beginning of a line. |
6552 | 435 |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
436 When matching a string instead of a buffer, @samp{^} matches at the |
37842
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
437 beginning of the string or after a newline character. |
6552 | 438 |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
439 For historical compatibility reasons, @samp{^} can be used only at the |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
440 beginning of the regular expression, or after @samp{\(} or @samp{\|}. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
441 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
442 @item @samp{$} |
6552 | 443 @cindex @samp{$} in regexp |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
444 @cindex end of line in regexp |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
445 is similar to @samp{^} but matches only at the end of a line (or the |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
446 end of the accessible portion of the buffer). Thus, @samp{x+$} |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
447 matches a string of one @samp{x} or more at the end of a line. |
6552 | 448 |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
449 When matching a string instead of a buffer, @samp{$} matches at the end |
37842
2b1f94f72990
Use Lisp escape sequences only inside string syntax.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
35796
diff
changeset
|
450 of the string or before a newline character. |
6552 | 451 |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
452 For historical compatibility reasons, @samp{$} can be used only at the |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
453 end of the regular expression, or before @samp{\)} or @samp{\|}. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
454 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
455 @item @samp{\} |
6552 | 456 @cindex @samp{\} in regexp |
457 has two functions: it quotes the special characters (including | |
458 @samp{\}), and it introduces additional special constructs. | |
459 | |
460 Because @samp{\} quotes special characters, @samp{\$} is a regular | |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
461 expression that matches only @samp{$}, and @samp{\[} is a regular |
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
462 expression that matches only @samp{[}, and so on. |
6552 | 463 |
464 Note that @samp{\} also has special meaning in the read syntax of Lisp | |
465 strings (@pxref{String Type}), and must be quoted with @samp{\}. For | |
466 example, the regular expression that matches the @samp{\} character is | |
467 @samp{\\}. To write a Lisp string that contains the characters | |
468 @samp{\\}, Lisp syntax requires you to quote each @samp{\} with another | |
469 @samp{\}. Therefore, the read syntax for a regular expression matching | |
470 @samp{\} is @code{"\\\\"}.@refill | |
471 @end table | |
472 | |
7735
7db892210924
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7086
diff
changeset
|
473 @strong{Please note:} For historical compatibility, special characters |
6552 | 474 are treated as ordinary ones if they are in contexts where their special |
475 meanings make no sense. For example, @samp{*foo} treats @samp{*} as | |
476 ordinary since there is no preceding expression on which the @samp{*} | |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
477 can act. It is poor practice to depend on this behavior; quote the |
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
478 special character anyway, regardless of where it appears.@refill |
6552 | 479 |
69330
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
480 As a @samp{\} is not special inside a character alternative, it can |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
481 never remove the special meaning of @samp{-} or @samp{]}. So you |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
482 should not quote these characters when they have no special meaning |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
483 either. This would not clarify anything, since backslashes can |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
484 legitimately precede these characters where they @emph{have} special |
69413
774f0386ba3c
(Regexp Special): Use @samp for regular expressions that are not in
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
69338
diff
changeset
|
485 meaning, as in @samp{[^\]} (@code{"[^\\]"} for Lisp string syntax), |
69330
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
486 which matches any single character except a backslash. |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
487 |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
488 In practice, most @samp{]} that occur in regular expressions close a |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
489 character alternative and hence are special. However, occasionally a |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
490 regular expression may try to match a complex pattern of literal |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
491 @samp{[} and @samp{]}. In such situations, it sometimes may be |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
492 necessary to carefully parse the regexp from the start to determine |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
493 which square brackets enclose a character alternative. For example, |
69413
774f0386ba3c
(Regexp Special): Use @samp for regular expressions that are not in
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
69338
diff
changeset
|
494 @samp{[^][]]} consists of the complemented character alternative |
774f0386ba3c
(Regexp Special): Use @samp for regular expressions that are not in
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
69338
diff
changeset
|
495 @samp{[^][]} (which matches any single character that is not a square |
69338
3b476a22dc6a
(Regexp Special): Put remark between parentheses to avoid misreading.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
69330
diff
changeset
|
496 bracket), followed by a literal @samp{]}. |
69330
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
497 |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
498 The exact rules are that at the beginning of a regexp, @samp{[} is |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
499 special and @samp{]} not. This lasts until the first unquoted |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
500 @samp{[}, after which we are in a character alternative; @samp{[} is |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
501 no longer special (except when it starts a character class) but @samp{]} |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
502 is special, unless it immediately follows the special @samp{[} or that |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
503 @samp{[} followed by a @samp{^}. This lasts until the next special |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
504 @samp{]} that does not end a character class. This ends the character |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
505 alternative and restores the ordinary syntax of regular expressions; |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
506 an unquoted @samp{[} is special again and a @samp{]} not. |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
507 |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
508 @node Char Classes |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
509 @subsubsection Character Classes |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
510 @cindex character classes in regexp |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
511 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
512 Here is a table of the classes you can use in a character alternative, |
60453
0b5288fc6e21
(Regexp Special, Char Classes): Get rid of "Emacs 21".
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
58349
diff
changeset
|
513 and what they mean: |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
514 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
515 @table @samp |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
516 @item [:ascii:] |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
517 This matches any @acronym{ASCII} (unibyte) character. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
518 @item [:alnum:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
519 This matches any letter or digit. (At present, for multibyte |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
520 characters, it matches anything that has word syntax.) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
521 @item [:alpha:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
522 This matches any letter. (At present, for multibyte characters, it |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
523 matches anything that has word syntax.) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
524 @item [:blank:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
525 This matches space and tab only. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
526 @item [:cntrl:] |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
527 This matches any @acronym{ASCII} control character. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
528 @item [:digit:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
529 This matches @samp{0} through @samp{9}. Thus, @samp{[-+[:digit:]]} |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
530 matches any digit, as well as @samp{+} and @samp{-}. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
531 @item [:graph:] |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
532 This matches graphic characters---everything except @acronym{ASCII} control |
27374
0f5edee5242b
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27373
diff
changeset
|
533 characters, space, and the delete character. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
534 @item [:lower:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
535 This matches any lower-case letter, as determined by |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
536 the current case table (@pxref{Case Tables}). |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
537 @item [:nonascii:] |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
538 This matches any non-@acronym{ASCII} (multibyte) character. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
539 @item [:print:] |
52978
1a5c50faf357
Replace @sc{foo} with @acronym{FOO}.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents:
52401
diff
changeset
|
540 This matches printing characters---everything except @acronym{ASCII} control |
27373
a6d5729aef1d
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27193
diff
changeset
|
541 characters and the delete character. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
542 @item [:punct:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
543 This matches any punctuation character. (At present, for multibyte |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
544 characters, it matches anything that has non-word syntax.) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
545 @item [:space:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
546 This matches any character that has whitespace syntax |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
547 (@pxref{Syntax Class Table}). |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
548 @item [:upper:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
549 This matches any upper-case letter, as determined by |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
550 the current case table (@pxref{Case Tables}). |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
551 @item [:word:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
552 This matches any character that has word syntax (@pxref{Syntax Class |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
553 Table}). |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
554 @item [:xdigit:] |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
555 This matches the hexadecimal digits: @samp{0} through @samp{9}, @samp{a} |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
556 through @samp{f} and @samp{A} through @samp{F}. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
557 @end table |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
558 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
559 @node Regexp Backslash |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
560 @subsubsection Backslash Constructs in Regular Expressions |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
561 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
562 For the most part, @samp{\} followed by any character matches only |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
563 that character. However, there are several exceptions: certain |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
564 two-character sequences starting with @samp{\} that have special |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
565 meanings. (The character after the @samp{\} in such a sequence is |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
566 always ordinary when used on its own.) Here is a table of the special |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
567 @samp{\} constructs. |
6552 | 568 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
569 @table @samp |
6552 | 570 @item \| |
571 @cindex @samp{|} in regexp | |
572 @cindex regexp alternative | |
573 specifies an alternative. | |
574 Two regular expressions @var{a} and @var{b} with @samp{\|} in | |
575 between form an expression that matches anything that either @var{a} or | |
576 @var{b} matches.@refill | |
577 | |
578 Thus, @samp{foo\|bar} matches either @samp{foo} or @samp{bar} | |
579 but no other string.@refill | |
580 | |
581 @samp{\|} applies to the largest possible surrounding expressions. Only a | |
582 surrounding @samp{\( @dots{} \)} grouping can limit the grouping power of | |
583 @samp{\|}.@refill | |
584 | |
49959
264cc4bc5c57
Clarify about POSIX functions and non-greedy repetition operators.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49809
diff
changeset
|
585 If you need full backtracking capability to handle multiple uses of |
264cc4bc5c57
Clarify about POSIX functions and non-greedy repetition operators.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49809
diff
changeset
|
586 @samp{\|}, use the POSIX regular expression functions (@pxref{POSIX |
264cc4bc5c57
Clarify about POSIX functions and non-greedy repetition operators.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49809
diff
changeset
|
587 Regexps}). |
6552 | 588 |
27780
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
589 @item \@{@var{m}\@} |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
590 is a postfix operator that repeats the previous pattern exactly @var{m} |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
591 times. Thus, @samp{x\@{5\@}} matches the string @samp{xxxxx} |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
592 and nothing else. @samp{c[ad]\@{3\@}r} matches string such as |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
593 @samp{caaar}, @samp{cdddr}, @samp{cadar}, and so on. |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
594 |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
595 @item \@{@var{m},@var{n}\@} |
54041 | 596 is a more general postfix operator that specifies repetition with a |
27780
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
597 minimum of @var{m} repeats and a maximum of @var{n} repeats. If @var{m} |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
598 is omitted, the minimum is 0; if @var{n} is omitted, there is no |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
599 maximum. |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
600 |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
601 For example, @samp{c[ad]\@{1,2\@}r} matches the strings @samp{car}, |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
602 @samp{cdr}, @samp{caar}, @samp{cadr}, @samp{cdar}, and @samp{cddr}, and |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
603 nothing else.@* |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
604 @samp{\@{0,1\@}} or @samp{\@{,1\@}} is equivalent to @samp{?}. @* |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
605 @samp{\@{0,\@}} or @samp{\@{,\@}} is equivalent to @samp{*}. @* |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
606 @samp{\@{1,\@}} is equivalent to @samp{+}. |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
607 |
6552 | 608 @item \( @dots{} \) |
609 @cindex @samp{(} in regexp | |
610 @cindex @samp{)} in regexp | |
611 @cindex regexp grouping | |
612 is a grouping construct that serves three purposes: | |
613 | |
614 @enumerate | |
615 @item | |
16736
981e116b4ac6
Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
12805
diff
changeset
|
616 To enclose a set of @samp{\|} alternatives for other operations. Thus, |
981e116b4ac6
Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
12805
diff
changeset
|
617 the regular expression @samp{\(foo\|bar\)x} matches either @samp{foox} |
981e116b4ac6
Minor cleanups for overfull hboxes.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
12805
diff
changeset
|
618 or @samp{barx}. |
6552 | 619 |
620 @item | |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
621 To enclose a complicated expression for the postfix operators @samp{*}, |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
622 @samp{+} and @samp{?} to operate on. Thus, @samp{ba\(na\)*} matches |
22138
d4ac295a98b3
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21682
diff
changeset
|
623 @samp{ba}, @samp{bana}, @samp{banana}, @samp{bananana}, etc., with any |
d4ac295a98b3
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21682
diff
changeset
|
624 number (zero or more) of @samp{na} strings. |
6552 | 625 |
626 @item | |
27780
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
627 To record a matched substring for future reference with |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
628 @samp{\@var{digit}} (see below). |
6552 | 629 @end enumerate |
630 | |
631 This last application is not a consequence of the idea of a | |
27780
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
632 parenthetical grouping; it is a separate feature that was assigned as a |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
633 second meaning to the same @samp{\( @dots{} \)} construct because, in |
48701 | 634 practice, there was usually no conflict between the two meanings. But |
27780
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
635 occasionally there is a conflict, and that led to the introduction of |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
636 shy groups. |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
637 |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
638 @item \(?: @dots{} \) |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
639 is the @dfn{shy group} construct. A shy group serves the first two |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
640 purposes of an ordinary group (controlling the nesting of other |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
641 operators), but it does not get a number, so you cannot refer back to |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
642 its value with @samp{\@var{digit}}. |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
643 |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
644 Shy groups are particularly useful for mechanically-constructed regular |
27780
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
645 expressions because they can be added automatically without altering the |
72cae205b4f4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
27374
diff
changeset
|
646 numbering of any ordinary, non-shy groups. |
6552 | 647 |
648 @item \@var{digit} | |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
649 matches the same text that matched the @var{digit}th occurrence of a |
39166
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
650 grouping (@samp{\( @dots{} \)}) construct. |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
651 |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
652 In other words, after the end of a group, the matcher remembers the |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
653 beginning and end of the text matched by that group. Later on in the |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
654 regular expression you can use @samp{\} followed by @var{digit} to |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
655 match that same text, whatever it may have been. |
6552 | 656 |
39166
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
657 The strings matching the first nine grouping constructs appearing in |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
658 the entire regular expression passed to a search or matching function |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
659 are assigned numbers 1 through 9 in the order that the open |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
660 parentheses appear in the regular expression. So you can use |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
661 @samp{\1} through @samp{\9} to refer to the text matched by the |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
662 corresponding grouping constructs. |
6552 | 663 |
664 For example, @samp{\(.*\)\1} matches any newline-free string that is | |
665 composed of two identical halves. The @samp{\(.*\)} matches the first | |
666 half, which may be anything, but the @samp{\1} that follows must match | |
667 the same exact text. | |
668 | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
669 If a @samp{\( @dots{} \)} construct matches more than once (which can |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
670 happen, for instance, if it is followed by @samp{*}), only the last |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
671 match is recorded. |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
672 |
39166
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
673 If a particular grouping construct in the regular expression was never |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
674 matched---for instance, if it appears inside of an alternative that |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
675 wasn't used, or inside of a repetition that repeated zero times---then |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
676 the corresponding @samp{\@var{digit}} construct never matches |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
677 anything. To use an artificial example,, @samp{\(foo\(b*\)\|lose\)\2} |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
678 cannot match @samp{lose}: the second alternative inside the larger |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
679 group matches it, but then @samp{\2} is undefined and can't match |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
680 anything. But it can match @samp{foobb}, because the first |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
681 alternative matches @samp{foob} and @samp{\2} matches @samp{b}. |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
682 |
6552 | 683 @item \w |
684 @cindex @samp{\w} in regexp | |
685 matches any word-constituent character. The editor syntax table | |
686 determines which characters these are. @xref{Syntax Tables}. | |
687 | |
688 @item \W | |
689 @cindex @samp{\W} in regexp | |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
690 matches any character that is not a word constituent. |
6552 | 691 |
692 @item \s@var{code} | |
693 @cindex @samp{\s} in regexp | |
694 matches any character whose syntax is @var{code}. Here @var{code} is a | |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
695 character that represents a syntax code: thus, @samp{w} for word |
6552 | 696 constituent, @samp{-} for whitespace, @samp{(} for open parenthesis, |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
697 etc. To represent whitespace syntax, use either @samp{-} or a space |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
698 character. @xref{Syntax Class Table}, for a list of syntax codes and |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
699 the characters that stand for them. |
6552 | 700 |
701 @item \S@var{code} | |
702 @cindex @samp{\S} in regexp | |
703 matches any character whose syntax is not @var{code}. | |
35796 | 704 |
705 @item \c@var{c} | |
706 matches any character whose category is @var{c}. Here @var{c} is a | |
707 character that represents a category: thus, @samp{c} for Chinese | |
708 characters or @samp{g} for Greek characters in the standard category | |
709 table. | |
710 | |
711 @item \C@var{c} | |
712 matches any character whose category is not @var{c}. | |
6552 | 713 @end table |
714 | |
8427
bc548090f760
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
7735
diff
changeset
|
715 The following regular expression constructs match the empty string---that is, |
6552 | 716 they don't use up any characters---but whether they match depends on the |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
717 context. For all, the beginning and end of the accessible portion of |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
718 the buffer are treated as if they were the actual beginning and end of |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
719 the buffer. |
6552 | 720 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
721 @table @samp |
6552 | 722 @item \` |
723 @cindex @samp{\`} in regexp | |
724 matches the empty string, but only at the beginning | |
725 of the buffer or string being matched against. | |
726 | |
727 @item \' | |
728 @cindex @samp{\'} in regexp | |
729 matches the empty string, but only at the end of | |
730 the buffer or string being matched against. | |
731 | |
732 @item \= | |
733 @cindex @samp{\=} in regexp | |
734 matches the empty string, but only at point. | |
735 (This construct is not defined when matching against a string.) | |
736 | |
737 @item \b | |
738 @cindex @samp{\b} in regexp | |
739 matches the empty string, but only at the beginning or | |
740 end of a word. Thus, @samp{\bfoo\b} matches any occurrence of | |
741 @samp{foo} as a separate word. @samp{\bballs?\b} matches | |
742 @samp{ball} or @samp{balls} as a separate word.@refill | |
743 | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
744 @samp{\b} matches at the beginning or end of the buffer (or string) |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
745 regardless of what text appears next to it. |
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
746 |
6552 | 747 @item \B |
748 @cindex @samp{\B} in regexp | |
749 matches the empty string, but @emph{not} at the beginning or | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
750 end of a word, nor at the beginning or end of the buffer (or string). |
6552 | 751 |
752 @item \< | |
753 @cindex @samp{\<} in regexp | |
754 matches the empty string, but only at the beginning of a word. | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
755 @samp{\<} matches at the beginning of the buffer (or string) only if a |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
756 word-constituent character follows. |
6552 | 757 |
758 @item \> | |
759 @cindex @samp{\>} in regexp | |
17884
aa0b21b54684
Update regexp syntax from Emacs manual.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
16736
diff
changeset
|
760 matches the empty string, but only at the end of a word. @samp{\>} |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
761 matches at the end of the buffer (or string) only if the contents end |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
762 with a word-constituent character. |
56439
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
763 |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
764 @item \_< |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
765 @cindex @samp{\_<} in regexp |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
766 matches the empty string, but only at the beginning of a symbol. A |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
767 symbol is a sequence of one or more word or symbol constituent |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
768 characters. @samp{\_<} matches at the beginning of the buffer (or |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
769 string) only if a symbol-constituent character follows. |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
770 |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
771 @item \_> |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
772 @cindex @samp{\_>} in regexp |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
773 matches the empty string, but only at the end of a symbol. @samp{\_>} |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
774 matches at the end of the buffer (or string) only if the contents end |
7cc505680b75
(Regexp Backslash): Document new \_< and \_> operators.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
56313
diff
changeset
|
775 with a symbol-constituent character. |
6552 | 776 @end table |
777 | |
778 @kindex invalid-regexp | |
779 Not every string is a valid regular expression. For example, a string | |
69330
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
780 that ends inside a character alternative without terminating @samp{]} |
b000598ecc11
(Syntax of Regexps): More accurately describe
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
68648
diff
changeset
|
781 is invalid, and so is a string that ends with a single @samp{\}. If |
6552 | 782 an invalid regular expression is passed to any of the search functions, |
783 an @code{invalid-regexp} error is signaled. | |
784 | |
785 @node Regexp Example | |
786 @comment node-name, next, previous, up | |
787 @subsection Complex Regexp Example | |
788 | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
789 Here is a complicated regexp which was formerly used by Emacs to |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
790 recognize the end of a sentence together with any whitespace that |
57403
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
791 follows. (Nowadays Emacs uses a similar but more complex default |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
792 regexp constructed by the function @code{sentence-end}. |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
793 @xref{Standard Regexps}.) |
6552 | 794 |
795 First, we show the regexp as a string in Lisp syntax to distinguish | |
796 spaces from tab characters. The string constant begins and ends with a | |
797 double-quote. @samp{\"} stands for a double-quote as part of the | |
798 string, @samp{\\} for a backslash as part of the string, @samp{\t} for a | |
799 tab and @samp{\n} for a newline. | |
800 | |
801 @example | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
802 "[.?!][]\"')@}]*\\($\\| $\\|\t\\|@ @ \\)[ \t\n]*" |
6552 | 803 @end example |
804 | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
805 @noindent |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
806 In contrast, if you evaluate this string, you will see the following: |
6552 | 807 |
808 @example | |
809 @group | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
810 "[.?!][]\"')@}]*\\($\\| $\\|\t\\|@ @ \\)[ \t\n]*" |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
811 @result{} "[.?!][]\"')@}]*\\($\\| $\\| \\|@ @ \\)[ |
6552 | 812 ]*" |
813 @end group | |
814 @end example | |
815 | |
816 @noindent | |
817 In this output, tab and newline appear as themselves. | |
818 | |
819 This regular expression contains four parts in succession and can be | |
820 deciphered as follows: | |
821 | |
822 @table @code | |
823 @item [.?!] | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
824 The first part of the pattern is a character alternative that matches |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
825 any one of three characters: period, question mark, and exclamation |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
826 mark. The match must begin with one of these three characters. (This |
57403
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
827 is one point where the new default regexp used by Emacs differs from |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
828 the old. The new value also allows some non-@acronym{ASCII} |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
829 characters that end a sentence without any following whitespace.) |
6552 | 830 |
831 @item []\"')@}]* | |
832 The second part of the pattern matches any closing braces and quotation | |
833 marks, zero or more of them, that may follow the period, question mark | |
834 or exclamation mark. The @code{\"} is Lisp syntax for a double-quote in | |
835 a string. The @samp{*} at the end indicates that the immediately | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
836 preceding regular expression (a character alternative, in this case) may be |
6552 | 837 repeated zero or more times. |
838 | |
8469 | 839 @item \\($\\|@ $\\|\t\\|@ @ \\) |
6552 | 840 The third part of the pattern matches the whitespace that follows the |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
841 end of a sentence: the end of a line (optionally with a space), or a |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
842 tab, or two spaces. The double backslashes mark the parentheses and |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
843 vertical bars as regular expression syntax; the parentheses delimit a |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
844 group and the vertical bars separate alternatives. The dollar sign is |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
845 used to match the end of a line. |
6552 | 846 |
847 @item [ \t\n]* | |
848 Finally, the last part of the pattern matches any additional whitespace | |
849 beyond the minimum needed to end a sentence. | |
850 @end table | |
851 | |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
852 @node Regexp Functions |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
853 @subsection Regular Expression Functions |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
854 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
855 These functions operate on regular expressions. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
856 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
857 @defun regexp-quote string |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
858 This function returns a regular expression whose only exact match is |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
859 @var{string}. Using this regular expression in @code{looking-at} will |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
860 succeed only if the next characters in the buffer are @var{string}; |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
861 using it in a search function will succeed if the text being searched |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
862 contains @var{string}. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
863 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
864 This allows you to request an exact string match or search when calling |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
865 a function that wants a regular expression. |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
866 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
867 @example |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
868 @group |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
869 (regexp-quote "^The cat$") |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
870 @result{} "\\^The cat\\$" |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
871 @end group |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
872 @end example |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
873 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
874 One use of @code{regexp-quote} is to combine an exact string match with |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
875 context described as a regular expression. For example, this searches |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
876 for the string that is the value of @var{string}, surrounded by |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
877 whitespace: |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
878 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
879 @example |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
880 @group |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
881 (re-search-forward |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
882 (concat "\\s-" (regexp-quote string) "\\s-")) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
883 @end group |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
884 @end example |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
885 @end defun |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
886 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
887 @defun regexp-opt strings &optional paren |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
888 This function returns an efficient regular expression that will match |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
889 any of the strings in the list @var{strings}. This is useful when you |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
890 need to make matching or searching as fast as possible---for example, |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
891 for Font Lock mode. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
892 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
893 If the optional argument @var{paren} is non-@code{nil}, then the |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
894 returned regular expression is always enclosed by at least one |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
895 parentheses-grouping construct. If @var{paren} is @code{words}, then |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
896 that construct is additionally surrounded by @samp{\<} and @samp{\>}. |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
897 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
898 This simplified definition of @code{regexp-opt} produces a |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
899 regular expression which is equivalent to the actual value |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
900 (but not as efficient): |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
901 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
902 @example |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
903 (defun regexp-opt (strings paren) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
904 (let ((open-paren (if paren "\\(" "")) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
905 (close-paren (if paren "\\)" ""))) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
906 (concat open-paren |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
907 (mapconcat 'regexp-quote strings "\\|") |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
908 close-paren))) |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
909 @end example |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
910 @end defun |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
911 |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
912 @defun regexp-opt-depth regexp |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
913 This function returns the total number of grouping constructs |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
914 (parenthesized expressions) in @var{regexp}. (This does not include |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
915 shy groups.) |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
916 @end defun |
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
917 |
6552 | 918 @node Regexp Search |
919 @section Regular Expression Searching | |
920 @cindex regular expression searching | |
921 @cindex regexp searching | |
922 @cindex searching for regexp | |
923 | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
924 In GNU Emacs, you can search for the next match for a regular |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
925 expression either incrementally or not. For incremental search |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
926 commands, see @ref{Regexp Search, , Regular Expression Search, emacs, |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
927 The GNU Emacs Manual}. Here we describe only the search functions |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
928 useful in programs. The principal one is @code{re-search-forward}. |
6552 | 929 |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
930 These search functions convert the regular expression to multibyte if |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
931 the buffer is multibyte; they convert the regular expression to unibyte |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
932 if the buffer is unibyte. @xref{Text Representations}. |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
933 |
6552 | 934 @deffn Command re-search-forward regexp &optional limit noerror repeat |
935 This function searches forward in the current buffer for a string of | |
936 text that is matched by the regular expression @var{regexp}. The | |
937 function skips over any amount of text that is not matched by | |
938 @var{regexp}, and leaves point at the end of the first match found. | |
939 It returns the new value of point. | |
940 | |
60678
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
941 If @var{limit} is non-@code{nil}, it must be a position in the current |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
942 buffer. It specifies the upper bound to the search. No match |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
943 extending after that position is accepted. |
6552 | 944 |
60678
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
945 If @var{repeat} is supplied, it must be a positive number; the search |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
946 is repeated that many times; each repetition starts at the end of the |
64115
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
947 previous match. If all these successive searches succeed, the search |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
948 succeeds, moving point and returning its new value. Otherwise the |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
949 search fails. What @code{re-search-forward} does when the search |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
950 fails depends on the value of @var{noerror}: |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
951 |
64115
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
952 @table @asis |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
953 @item @code{nil} |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
954 Signal a @code{search-failed} error. |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
955 @item @code{t} |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
956 Do nothing and return @code{nil}. |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
957 @item anything else |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
958 Move point to @var{limit} (or the end of the accessible portion of the |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
959 buffer) and return @code{nil}. |
23d3e1c615ee
(Regexp Search): Clarify what re-search-forward does when the search fails.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
63663
diff
changeset
|
960 @end table |
6552 | 961 |
962 In the following example, point is initially before the @samp{T}. | |
963 Evaluating the search call moves point to the end of that line (between | |
964 the @samp{t} of @samp{hat} and the newline). | |
965 | |
966 @example | |
967 @group | |
968 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
969 I read "@point{}The cat in the hat | |
970 comes back" twice. | |
971 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
972 @end group | |
973 | |
974 @group | |
975 (re-search-forward "[a-z]+" nil t 5) | |
976 @result{} 27 | |
977 | |
978 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
979 I read "The cat in the hat@point{} | |
980 comes back" twice. | |
981 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
982 @end group | |
983 @end example | |
984 @end deffn | |
985 | |
986 @deffn Command re-search-backward regexp &optional limit noerror repeat | |
987 This function searches backward in the current buffer for a string of | |
988 text that is matched by the regular expression @var{regexp}, leaving | |
989 point at the beginning of the first text found. | |
990 | |
8469 | 991 This function is analogous to @code{re-search-forward}, but they are not |
992 simple mirror images. @code{re-search-forward} finds the match whose | |
993 beginning is as close as possible to the starting point. If | |
994 @code{re-search-backward} were a perfect mirror image, it would find the | |
995 match whose end is as close as possible. However, in fact it finds the | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
996 match whose beginning is as close as possible (and yet ends before the |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
997 starting point). The reason for this is that matching a regular |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
998 expression at a given spot always works from beginning to end, and |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
999 starts at a specified beginning position. |
6552 | 1000 |
1001 A true mirror-image of @code{re-search-forward} would require a special | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1002 feature for matching regular expressions from end to beginning. It's |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1003 not worth the trouble of implementing that. |
6552 | 1004 @end deffn |
1005 | |
1006 @defun string-match regexp string &optional start | |
1007 This function returns the index of the start of the first match for | |
1008 the regular expression @var{regexp} in @var{string}, or @code{nil} if | |
1009 there is no match. If @var{start} is non-@code{nil}, the search starts | |
1010 at that index in @var{string}. | |
1011 | |
1012 For example, | |
1013 | |
1014 @example | |
1015 @group | |
1016 (string-match | |
1017 "quick" "The quick brown fox jumped quickly.") | |
1018 @result{} 4 | |
1019 @end group | |
1020 @group | |
1021 (string-match | |
1022 "quick" "The quick brown fox jumped quickly." 8) | |
1023 @result{} 27 | |
1024 @end group | |
1025 @end example | |
1026 | |
1027 @noindent | |
1028 The index of the first character of the | |
1029 string is 0, the index of the second character is 1, and so on. | |
1030 | |
1031 After this function returns, the index of the first character beyond | |
1032 the match is available as @code{(match-end 0)}. @xref{Match Data}. | |
1033 | |
1034 @example | |
1035 @group | |
1036 (string-match | |
1037 "quick" "The quick brown fox jumped quickly." 8) | |
1038 @result{} 27 | |
1039 @end group | |
1040 | |
1041 @group | |
1042 (match-end 0) | |
1043 @result{} 32 | |
1044 @end group | |
1045 @end example | |
1046 @end defun | |
1047 | |
1048 @defun looking-at regexp | |
1049 This function determines whether the text in the current buffer directly | |
1050 following point matches the regular expression @var{regexp}. ``Directly | |
1051 following'' means precisely that: the search is ``anchored'' and it can | |
1052 succeed only starting with the first character following point. The | |
1053 result is @code{t} if so, @code{nil} otherwise. | |
1054 | |
1055 This function does not move point, but it updates the match data, which | |
1056 you can access using @code{match-beginning} and @code{match-end}. | |
1057 @xref{Match Data}. | |
1058 | |
1059 In this example, point is located directly before the @samp{T}. If it | |
1060 were anywhere else, the result would be @code{nil}. | |
1061 | |
1062 @example | |
1063 @group | |
1064 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
1065 I read "@point{}The cat in the hat | |
1066 comes back" twice. | |
1067 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
1068 | |
1069 (looking-at "The cat in the hat$") | |
1070 @result{} t | |
1071 @end group | |
1072 @end example | |
1073 @end defun | |
1074 | |
57252
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1075 @defun looking-back regexp &optional limit |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1076 This function returns @code{t} if @var{regexp} matches text before |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1077 point, ending at point, and @code{nil} otherwise. |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1078 |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1079 Because regular expression matching works only going forward, this is |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1080 implemented by searching backwards from point for a match that ends at |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1081 point. That can be quite slow if it has to search a long distance. |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1082 You can bound the time required by specifying @var{limit}, which says |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1083 not to search before @var{limit}. In this case, the match that is |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1084 found must begin at or after @var{limit}. |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1085 |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1086 @example |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1087 @group |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1088 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1089 I read "@point{}The cat in the hat |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1090 comes back" twice. |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1091 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1092 |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1093 (looking-back "read \"" 3) |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1094 @result{} t |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1095 (looking-back "read \"" 4) |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1096 @result{} nil |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1097 @end group |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1098 @end example |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1099 @end defun |
a325c378e9bb
(Regexp Search): Add looking-back.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
56439
diff
changeset
|
1100 |
58349
e497e4d0b665
(Regexp Search): Rename that to search-spaces-regexp.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
58329
diff
changeset
|
1101 @defvar search-spaces-regexp |
58329
30f22485a11e
(Regexp Search): Add search-whitespace-regexp.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
57403
diff
changeset
|
1102 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it should be a regular expression |
30f22485a11e
(Regexp Search): Add search-whitespace-regexp.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
57403
diff
changeset
|
1103 that says how to search for whitespace. In that case, any group of |
60678
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1104 spaces in a regular expression being searched for stands for use of |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1105 this regular expression. However, spaces inside of constructs such as |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1106 @samp{[@dots{}]} and @samp{*}, @samp{+}, @samp{?} are not affected by |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1107 @code{search-spaces-regexp}. |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1108 |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1109 Since this variable affects all regular expression search and match |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1110 constructs, you should bind it temporarily for as small as possible |
b41b3abcbecf
(String Search, Regexp Search, Regexp Search): Cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60453
diff
changeset
|
1111 a part of the code. |
58329
30f22485a11e
(Regexp Search): Add search-whitespace-regexp.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
57403
diff
changeset
|
1112 @end defvar |
30f22485a11e
(Regexp Search): Add search-whitespace-regexp.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
57403
diff
changeset
|
1113 |
12067 | 1114 @node POSIX Regexps |
1115 @section POSIX Regular Expression Searching | |
1116 | |
1117 The usual regular expression functions do backtracking when necessary | |
1118 to handle the @samp{\|} and repetition constructs, but they continue | |
1119 this only until they find @emph{some} match. Then they succeed and | |
1120 report the first match found. | |
1121 | |
1122 This section describes alternative search functions which perform the | |
1123 full backtracking specified by the POSIX standard for regular expression | |
1124 matching. They continue backtracking until they have tried all | |
1125 possibilities and found all matches, so they can report the longest | |
1126 match, as required by POSIX. This is much slower, so use these | |
1127 functions only when you really need the longest match. | |
1128 | |
49959
264cc4bc5c57
Clarify about POSIX functions and non-greedy repetition operators.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49809
diff
changeset
|
1129 The POSIX search and match functions do not properly support the |
264cc4bc5c57
Clarify about POSIX functions and non-greedy repetition operators.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49809
diff
changeset
|
1130 non-greedy repetition operators. This is because POSIX backtracking |
264cc4bc5c57
Clarify about POSIX functions and non-greedy repetition operators.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49809
diff
changeset
|
1131 conflicts with the semantics of non-greedy repetition. |
264cc4bc5c57
Clarify about POSIX functions and non-greedy repetition operators.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49809
diff
changeset
|
1132 |
12067 | 1133 @defun posix-search-forward regexp &optional limit noerror repeat |
1134 This is like @code{re-search-forward} except that it performs the full | |
1135 backtracking specified by the POSIX standard for regular expression | |
1136 matching. | |
1137 @end defun | |
1138 | |
1139 @defun posix-search-backward regexp &optional limit noerror repeat | |
1140 This is like @code{re-search-backward} except that it performs the full | |
1141 backtracking specified by the POSIX standard for regular expression | |
1142 matching. | |
1143 @end defun | |
1144 | |
1145 @defun posix-looking-at regexp | |
1146 This is like @code{looking-at} except that it performs the full | |
1147 backtracking specified by the POSIX standard for regular expression | |
1148 matching. | |
1149 @end defun | |
1150 | |
1151 @defun posix-string-match regexp string &optional start | |
1152 This is like @code{string-match} except that it performs the full | |
1153 backtracking specified by the POSIX standard for regular expression | |
1154 matching. | |
1155 @end defun | |
1156 | |
6552 | 1157 @node Match Data |
1158 @section The Match Data | |
1159 @cindex match data | |
1160 | |
25089 | 1161 Emacs keeps track of the start and end positions of the segments of |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1162 text found during a search; this is called the @dfn{match data}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1163 Thanks to the match data, you can search for a complex pattern, such |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1164 as a date in a mail message, and then extract parts of the match under |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1165 control of the pattern. |
6552 | 1166 |
1167 Because the match data normally describe the most recent search only, | |
1168 you must be careful not to do another search inadvertently between the | |
1169 search you wish to refer back to and the use of the match data. If you | |
1170 can't avoid another intervening search, you must save and restore the | |
1171 match data around it, to prevent it from being overwritten. | |
1172 | |
1173 @menu | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1174 * Replacing Match:: Replacing a substring that was matched. |
6552 | 1175 * Simple Match Data:: Accessing single items of match data, |
1176 such as where a particular subexpression started. | |
1177 * Entire Match Data:: Accessing the entire match data at once, as a list. | |
1178 * Saving Match Data:: Saving and restoring the match data. | |
1179 @end menu | |
1180 | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1181 @node Replacing Match |
25751
467b88fab665
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
25089
diff
changeset
|
1182 @subsection Replacing the Text that Matched |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1183 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1184 This function replaces all or part of the text matched by the last |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1185 search. It works by means of the match data. |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1186 |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1187 @cindex case in replacements |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1188 @defun replace-match replacement &optional fixedcase literal string subexp |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1189 This function replaces the text in the buffer (or in @var{string}) that |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1190 was matched by the last search. It replaces that text with |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1191 @var{replacement}. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1192 |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1193 If you did the last search in a buffer, you should specify @code{nil} |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1194 for @var{string} and make sure that the current buffer when you call |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1195 @code{replace-match} is the one in which you did the searching or |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1196 matching. Then @code{replace-match} does the replacement by editing |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1197 the buffer; it leaves point at the end of the replacement text, and |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1198 returns @code{t}. |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1199 |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1200 If you did the search in a string, pass the same string as @var{string}. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1201 Then @code{replace-match} does the replacement by constructing and |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1202 returning a new string. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1203 |
45104
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1204 If @var{fixedcase} is non-@code{nil}, then @code{replace-match} uses |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1205 the replacement text without case conversion; otherwise, it converts |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1206 the replacement text depending upon the capitalization of the text to |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1207 be replaced. If the original text is all upper case, this converts |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1208 the replacement text to upper case. If all words of the original text |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1209 are capitalized, this capitalizes all the words of the replacement |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1210 text. If all the words are one-letter and they are all upper case, |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1211 they are treated as capitalized words rather than all-upper-case |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1212 words. |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1213 |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1214 If @var{literal} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{replacement} is inserted |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1215 exactly as it is, the only alterations being case changes as needed. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1216 If it is @code{nil} (the default), then the character @samp{\} is treated |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1217 specially. If a @samp{\} appears in @var{replacement}, then it must be |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1218 part of one of the following sequences: |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1219 |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1220 @table @asis |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1221 @item @samp{\&} |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1222 @cindex @samp{&} in replacement |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1223 @samp{\&} stands for the entire text being replaced. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1224 |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1225 @item @samp{\@var{n}} |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1226 @cindex @samp{\@var{n}} in replacement |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1227 @samp{\@var{n}}, where @var{n} is a digit, stands for the text that |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1228 matched the @var{n}th subexpression in the original regexp. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1229 Subexpressions are those expressions grouped inside @samp{\(@dots{}\)}. |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1230 If the @var{n}th subexpression never matched, an empty string is substituted. |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1231 |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1232 @item @samp{\\} |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1233 @cindex @samp{\} in replacement |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1234 @samp{\\} stands for a single @samp{\} in the replacement text. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1235 @end table |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1236 |
45104
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1237 These substitutions occur after case conversion, if any, |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1238 so the strings they substitute are never case-converted. |
441493d3bba0
Clarify how replace-match does case conversion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
41939
diff
changeset
|
1239 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1240 If @var{subexp} is non-@code{nil}, that says to replace just |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1241 subexpression number @var{subexp} of the regexp that was matched, not |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1242 the entire match. For example, after matching @samp{foo \(ba*r\)}, |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1243 calling @code{replace-match} with 1 as @var{subexp} means to replace |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1244 just the text that matched @samp{\(ba*r\)}. |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1245 @end defun |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1246 |
6552 | 1247 @node Simple Match Data |
1248 @subsection Simple Match Data Access | |
1249 | |
12067 | 1250 This section explains how to use the match data to find out what was |
49809
4556482b5d22
Clarify that match data is unpredictable after failing searches.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49600
diff
changeset
|
1251 matched by the last search or match operation, if it succeeded. |
12067 | 1252 |
1253 You can ask about the entire matching text, or about a particular | |
1254 parenthetical subexpression of a regular expression. The @var{count} | |
1255 argument in the functions below specifies which. If @var{count} is | |
1256 zero, you are asking about the entire match. If @var{count} is | |
1257 positive, it specifies which subexpression you want. | |
1258 | |
1259 Recall that the subexpressions of a regular expression are those | |
1260 expressions grouped with escaped parentheses, @samp{\(@dots{}\)}. The | |
1261 @var{count}th subexpression is found by counting occurrences of | |
1262 @samp{\(} from the beginning of the whole regular expression. The first | |
1263 subexpression is numbered 1, the second 2, and so on. Only regular | |
1264 expressions can have subexpressions---after a simple string search, the | |
1265 only information available is about the entire match. | |
1266 | |
22138
d4ac295a98b3
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21682
diff
changeset
|
1267 A search which fails may or may not alter the match data. In the |
d4ac295a98b3
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21682
diff
changeset
|
1268 past, a failing search did not do this, but we may change it in the |
49809
4556482b5d22
Clarify that match data is unpredictable after failing searches.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49600
diff
changeset
|
1269 future. So don't try to rely on the value of the match data after |
4556482b5d22
Clarify that match data is unpredictable after failing searches.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
49600
diff
changeset
|
1270 a failing search. |
22138
d4ac295a98b3
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21682
diff
changeset
|
1271 |
12067 | 1272 @defun match-string count &optional in-string |
1273 This function returns, as a string, the text matched in the last search | |
1274 or match operation. It returns the entire text if @var{count} is zero, | |
1275 or just the portion corresponding to the @var{count}th parenthetical | |
39166
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
1276 subexpression, if @var{count} is positive. |
12067 | 1277 |
1278 If the last such operation was done against a string with | |
1279 @code{string-match}, then you should pass the same string as the | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1280 argument @var{in-string}. After a buffer search or match, |
12067 | 1281 you should omit @var{in-string} or pass @code{nil} for it; but you |
1282 should make sure that the current buffer when you call | |
1283 @code{match-string} is the one in which you did the searching or | |
1284 matching. | |
39166
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
1285 |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
1286 The value is @code{nil} if @var{count} is out of range, or for a |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
1287 subexpression inside a @samp{\|} alternative that wasn't used or a |
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
1288 repetition that repeated zero times. |
12067 | 1289 @end defun |
6552 | 1290 |
26288 | 1291 @defun match-string-no-properties count &optional in-string |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
1292 This function is like @code{match-string} except that the result |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
1293 has no text properties. |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
1294 @end defun |
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
1295 |
6552 | 1296 @defun match-beginning count |
1297 This function returns the position of the start of text matched by the | |
1298 last regular expression searched for, or a subexpression of it. | |
1299 | |
8469 | 1300 If @var{count} is zero, then the value is the position of the start of |
12125
995be67f3fd1
updates for version 19.29.
Melissa Weisshaus <melissa@gnu.org>
parents:
12098
diff
changeset
|
1301 the entire match. Otherwise, @var{count} specifies a subexpression in |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1302 the regular expression, and the value of the function is the starting |
12067 | 1303 position of the match for that subexpression. |
6552 | 1304 |
12067 | 1305 The value is @code{nil} for a subexpression inside a @samp{\|} |
39166
f0bfa8a7d472
Explain clearly what \digit does when that grouping
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
38927
diff
changeset
|
1306 alternative that wasn't used or a repetition that repeated zero times. |
6552 | 1307 @end defun |
1308 | |
1309 @defun match-end count | |
12067 | 1310 This function is like @code{match-beginning} except that it returns the |
1311 position of the end of the match, rather than the position of the | |
1312 beginning. | |
6552 | 1313 @end defun |
1314 | |
1315 Here is an example of using the match data, with a comment showing the | |
1316 positions within the text: | |
1317 | |
1318 @example | |
1319 @group | |
1320 (string-match "\\(qu\\)\\(ick\\)" | |
1321 "The quick fox jumped quickly.") | |
49600
23a1cea22d13
Trailing whitespace deleted.
Juanma Barranquero <lekktu@gmail.com>
parents:
48701
diff
changeset
|
1322 ;0123456789 |
6552 | 1323 @result{} 4 |
1324 @end group | |
1325 | |
1326 @group | |
12067 | 1327 (match-string 0 "The quick fox jumped quickly.") |
1328 @result{} "quick" | |
1329 (match-string 1 "The quick fox jumped quickly.") | |
1330 @result{} "qu" | |
1331 (match-string 2 "The quick fox jumped quickly.") | |
1332 @result{} "ick" | |
1333 @end group | |
1334 | |
1335 @group | |
6552 | 1336 (match-beginning 1) ; @r{The beginning of the match} |
1337 @result{} 4 ; @r{with @samp{qu} is at index 4.} | |
1338 @end group | |
1339 | |
1340 @group | |
1341 (match-beginning 2) ; @r{The beginning of the match} | |
1342 @result{} 6 ; @r{with @samp{ick} is at index 6.} | |
1343 @end group | |
1344 | |
1345 @group | |
1346 (match-end 1) ; @r{The end of the match} | |
1347 @result{} 6 ; @r{with @samp{qu} is at index 6.} | |
1348 | |
1349 (match-end 2) ; @r{The end of the match} | |
1350 @result{} 9 ; @r{with @samp{ick} is at index 9.} | |
1351 @end group | |
1352 @end example | |
1353 | |
1354 Here is another example. Point is initially located at the beginning | |
1355 of the line. Searching moves point to between the space and the word | |
1356 @samp{in}. The beginning of the entire match is at the 9th character of | |
1357 the buffer (@samp{T}), and the beginning of the match for the first | |
1358 subexpression is at the 13th character (@samp{c}). | |
1359 | |
1360 @example | |
1361 @group | |
1362 (list | |
1363 (re-search-forward "The \\(cat \\)") | |
1364 (match-beginning 0) | |
1365 (match-beginning 1)) | |
8469 | 1366 @result{} (9 9 13) |
6552 | 1367 @end group |
1368 | |
1369 @group | |
1370 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
1371 I read "The cat @point{}in the hat comes back" twice. | |
1372 ^ ^ | |
1373 9 13 | |
1374 ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- | |
1375 @end group | |
1376 @end example | |
1377 | |
1378 @noindent | |
1379 (In this case, the index returned is a buffer position; the first | |
1380 character of the buffer counts as 1.) | |
1381 | |
1382 @node Entire Match Data | |
1383 @subsection Accessing the Entire Match Data | |
1384 | |
1385 The functions @code{match-data} and @code{set-match-data} read or | |
1386 write the entire match data, all at once. | |
1387 | |
63153
286783f742e6
(Entire Match Data): Explain new `reseat' argument to
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63135
diff
changeset
|
1388 @defun match-data &optional integers reuse reseat |
63135
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1389 This function returns a list of positions (markers or integers) that |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1390 record all the information on what text the last search matched. |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1391 Element zero is the position of the beginning of the match for the |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1392 whole expression; element one is the position of the end of the match |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1393 for the expression. The next two elements are the positions of the |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1394 beginning and end of the match for the first subexpression, and so on. |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1395 In general, element |
27193 | 1396 @ifnottex |
6552 | 1397 number 2@var{n} |
27193 | 1398 @end ifnottex |
6552 | 1399 @tex |
1400 number {\mathsurround=0pt $2n$} | |
1401 @end tex | |
1402 corresponds to @code{(match-beginning @var{n})}; and | |
1403 element | |
27193 | 1404 @ifnottex |
6552 | 1405 number 2@var{n} + 1 |
27193 | 1406 @end ifnottex |
6552 | 1407 @tex |
1408 number {\mathsurround=0pt $2n+1$} | |
1409 @end tex | |
1410 corresponds to @code{(match-end @var{n})}. | |
1411 | |
63135
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1412 Normally all the elements are markers or @code{nil}, but if |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1413 @var{integers} is non-@code{nil}, that means to use integers instead |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1414 of markers. (In that case, the buffer itself is appended as an |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1415 additional element at the end of the list, to facilitate complete |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1416 restoration of the match data.) If the last match was done on a |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1417 string with @code{string-match}, then integers are always used, |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1418 since markers can't point into a string. |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1419 |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1420 If @var{reuse} is non-@code{nil}, it should be a list. In that case, |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1421 @code{match-data} stores the match data in @var{reuse}. That is, |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1422 @var{reuse} is destructively modified. @var{reuse} does not need to |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1423 have the right length. If it is not long enough to contain the match |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1424 data, it is extended. If it is too long, the length of @var{reuse} |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1425 stays the same, but the elements that were not used are set to |
63135
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1426 @code{nil}. The purpose of this feature is to reduce the need for |
ade1be8b63fd
(Entire Match Data): Clarify when match-data
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
60678
diff
changeset
|
1427 garbage collection. |
6552 | 1428 |
63153
286783f742e6
(Entire Match Data): Explain new `reseat' argument to
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63135
diff
changeset
|
1429 If @var{reseat} is non-@code{nil}, all markers on the @var{reuse} list |
63663
c4d74e911908
(Entire Match Data): Remove evaporate option for
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63583
diff
changeset
|
1430 are reseated to point to nowhere. |
63153
286783f742e6
(Entire Match Data): Explain new `reseat' argument to
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63135
diff
changeset
|
1431 |
6552 | 1432 As always, there must be no possibility of intervening searches between |
1433 the call to a search function and the call to @code{match-data} that is | |
1434 intended to access the match data for that search. | |
1435 | |
1436 @example | |
1437 @group | |
1438 (match-data) | |
1439 @result{} (#<marker at 9 in foo> | |
1440 #<marker at 17 in foo> | |
1441 #<marker at 13 in foo> | |
1442 #<marker at 17 in foo>) | |
1443 @end group | |
1444 @end example | |
1445 @end defun | |
1446 | |
63153
286783f742e6
(Entire Match Data): Explain new `reseat' argument to
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63135
diff
changeset
|
1447 @defun set-match-data match-list &optional reseat |
6552 | 1448 This function sets the match data from the elements of @var{match-list}, |
1449 which should be a list that was the value of a previous call to | |
41939
e9a4c1f03019
Minor clarifications for search-forward and set-match-data.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
39166
diff
changeset
|
1450 @code{match-data}. (More precisely, anything that has the same format |
e9a4c1f03019
Minor clarifications for search-forward and set-match-data.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
39166
diff
changeset
|
1451 will work.) |
6552 | 1452 |
1453 If @var{match-list} refers to a buffer that doesn't exist, you don't get | |
1454 an error; that sets the match data in a meaningless but harmless way. | |
1455 | |
63153
286783f742e6
(Entire Match Data): Explain new `reseat' argument to
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63135
diff
changeset
|
1456 If @var{reseat} is non-@code{nil}, all markers on the @var{match-list} list |
63663
c4d74e911908
(Entire Match Data): Remove evaporate option for
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63583
diff
changeset
|
1457 are reseated to point to nowhere. |
63153
286783f742e6
(Entire Match Data): Explain new `reseat' argument to
Kim F. Storm <storm@cua.dk>
parents:
63135
diff
changeset
|
1458 |
6552 | 1459 @findex store-match-data |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1460 @code{store-match-data} is a semi-obsolete alias for @code{set-match-data}. |
6552 | 1461 @end defun |
1462 | |
1463 @node Saving Match Data | |
1464 @subsection Saving and Restoring the Match Data | |
1465 | |
10038
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1466 When you call a function that may do a search, you may need to save |
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1467 and restore the match data around that call, if you want to preserve the |
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1468 match data from an earlier search for later use. Here is an example |
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1469 that shows the problem that arises if you fail to save the match data: |
6552 | 1470 |
1471 @example | |
1472 @group | |
1473 (re-search-forward "The \\(cat \\)") | |
1474 @result{} 48 | |
1475 (foo) ; @r{Perhaps @code{foo} does} | |
1476 ; @r{more searching.} | |
1477 (match-end 0) | |
1478 @result{} 61 ; @r{Unexpected result---not 48!} | |
1479 @end group | |
1480 @end example | |
1481 | |
10038
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1482 You can save and restore the match data with @code{save-match-data}: |
6552 | 1483 |
12098 | 1484 @defmac save-match-data body@dots{} |
22252
40089afa2b1d
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
22138
diff
changeset
|
1485 This macro executes @var{body}, saving and restoring the match |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1486 data around it. The return value is the value of the last form in |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1487 @var{body}. |
12098 | 1488 @end defmac |
6552 | 1489 |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1490 You could use @code{set-match-data} together with @code{match-data} to |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1491 imitate the effect of the special form @code{save-match-data}. Here is |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1492 how: |
6552 | 1493 |
1494 @example | |
1495 @group | |
1496 (let ((data (match-data))) | |
1497 (unwind-protect | |
21007
66d807bdc5b4
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
17886
diff
changeset
|
1498 @dots{} ; @r{Ok to change the original match data.} |
6552 | 1499 (set-match-data data))) |
1500 @end group | |
1501 @end example | |
1502 | |
10038
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1503 Emacs automatically saves and restores the match data when it runs |
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1504 process filter functions (@pxref{Filter Functions}) and process |
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1505 sentinels (@pxref{Sentinels}). |
6b8e51b286c6
Filters and sentinels now save match data themselves.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
8469
diff
changeset
|
1506 |
6552 | 1507 @ignore |
1508 Here is a function which restores the match data provided the buffer | |
1509 associated with it still exists. | |
1510 | |
1511 @smallexample | |
1512 @group | |
1513 (defun restore-match-data (data) | |
1514 @c It is incorrect to split the first line of a doc string. | |
1515 @c If there's a problem here, it should be solved in some other way. | |
1516 "Restore the match data DATA unless the buffer is missing." | |
1517 (catch 'foo | |
1518 (let ((d data)) | |
1519 @end group | |
1520 (while d | |
1521 (and (car d) | |
1522 (null (marker-buffer (car d))) | |
1523 @group | |
1524 ;; @file{match-data} @r{buffer is deleted.} | |
1525 (throw 'foo nil)) | |
1526 (setq d (cdr d))) | |
1527 (set-match-data data)))) | |
1528 @end group | |
1529 @end smallexample | |
1530 @end ignore | |
1531 | |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1532 @node Search and Replace |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1533 @section Search and Replace |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1534 @cindex replacement |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1535 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1536 If you want to find all matches for a regexp in part of the buffer, |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1537 and replace them, the best way is to write an explicit loop using |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1538 @code{re-search-forward} and @code{replace-match}, like this: |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1539 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1540 @example |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1541 (while (re-search-forward "foo[ \t]+bar" nil t) |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1542 (replace-match "foobar")) |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1543 @end example |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1544 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1545 @noindent |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1546 @xref{Replacing Match,, Replacing the Text that Matched}, for a |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1547 description of @code{replace-match}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1548 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1549 However, replacing matches in a string is more complex, especially |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1550 if you want to do it efficiently. So Emacs provides a function to do |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1551 this. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1552 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1553 @defun replace-regexp-in-string regexp rep string &optional fixedcase literal subexp start |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1554 This function copies @var{string} and searches it for matches for |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1555 @var{regexp}, and replaces them with @var{rep}. It returns the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1556 modified copy. If @var{start} is non-@code{nil}, the search for |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1557 matches starts at that index in @var{string}, so matches starting |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1558 before that index are not changed. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1559 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1560 This function uses @code{replace-match} to do the replacement, and it |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1561 passes the optional arguments @var{fixedcase}, @var{literal} and |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1562 @var{subexp} along to @code{replace-match}. |
6552 | 1563 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1564 Instead of a string, @var{rep} can be a function. In that case, |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1565 @code{replace-regexp-in-string} calls @var{rep} for each match, |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1566 passing the text of the match as its sole argument. It collects the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1567 value @var{rep} returns and passes that to @code{replace-match} as the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1568 replacement string. The match-data at this point are the result |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1569 of matching @var{regexp} against a substring of @var{string}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1570 @end defun |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1571 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1572 If you want to write a command along the lines of @code{query-replace}, |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1573 you can use @code{perform-replace} to do the work. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1574 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1575 @defun perform-replace from-string replacements query-flag regexp-flag delimited-flag &optional repeat-count map start end |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1576 This function is the guts of @code{query-replace} and related |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1577 commands. It searches for occurrences of @var{from-string} in the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1578 text between positions @var{start} and @var{end} and replaces some or |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1579 all of them. If @var{start} is @code{nil} (or omitted), point is used |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1580 instead, and the end of the buffer's accessible portion is used for |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1581 @var{end}. |
6552 | 1582 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1583 If @var{query-flag} is @code{nil}, it replaces all |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1584 occurrences; otherwise, it asks the user what to do about each one. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1585 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1586 If @var{regexp-flag} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{from-string} is |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1587 considered a regular expression; otherwise, it must match literally. If |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1588 @var{delimited-flag} is non-@code{nil}, then only replacements |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1589 surrounded by word boundaries are considered. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1590 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1591 The argument @var{replacements} specifies what to replace occurrences |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1592 with. If it is a string, that string is used. It can also be a list of |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1593 strings, to be used in cyclic order. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1594 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1595 If @var{replacements} is a cons cell, @code{(@var{function} |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1596 . @var{data})}, this means to call @var{function} after each match to |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1597 get the replacement text. This function is called with two arguments: |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1598 @var{data}, and the number of replacements already made. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1599 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1600 If @var{repeat-count} is non-@code{nil}, it should be an integer. Then |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1601 it specifies how many times to use each of the strings in the |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1602 @var{replacements} list before advancing cyclically to the next one. |
6552 | 1603 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1604 If @var{from-string} contains upper-case letters, then |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1605 @code{perform-replace} binds @code{case-fold-search} to @code{nil}, and |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1606 it uses the @code{replacements} without altering the case of them. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1607 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1608 Normally, the keymap @code{query-replace-map} defines the possible |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1609 user responses for queries. The argument @var{map}, if |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1610 non-@code{nil}, specifies a keymap to use instead of |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1611 @code{query-replace-map}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1612 @end defun |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1613 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1614 @defvar query-replace-map |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1615 This variable holds a special keymap that defines the valid user |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1616 responses for @code{perform-replace} and the commands that use it, as |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1617 well as @code{y-or-n-p} and @code{map-y-or-n-p}. This map is unusual |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1618 in two ways: |
6552 | 1619 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1620 @itemize @bullet |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1621 @item |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1622 The ``key bindings'' are not commands, just symbols that are meaningful |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1623 to the functions that use this map. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1624 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1625 @item |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1626 Prefix keys are not supported; each key binding must be for a |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1627 single-event key sequence. This is because the functions don't use |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1628 @code{read-key-sequence} to get the input; instead, they read a single |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1629 event and look it up ``by hand.'' |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1630 @end itemize |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1631 @end defvar |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1632 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1633 Here are the meaningful ``bindings'' for @code{query-replace-map}. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1634 Several of them are meaningful only for @code{query-replace} and |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1635 friends. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1636 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1637 @table @code |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1638 @item act |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1639 Do take the action being considered---in other words, ``yes.'' |
8469 | 1640 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1641 @item skip |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1642 Do not take action for this question---in other words, ``no.'' |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1643 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1644 @item exit |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1645 Answer this question ``no,'' and give up on the entire series of |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1646 questions, assuming that the answers will be ``no.'' |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1647 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1648 @item act-and-exit |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1649 Answer this question ``yes,'' and give up on the entire series of |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1650 questions, assuming that subsequent answers will be ``no.'' |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1651 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1652 @item act-and-show |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1653 Answer this question ``yes,'' but show the results---don't advance yet |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1654 to the next question. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1655 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1656 @item automatic |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1657 Answer this question and all subsequent questions in the series with |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1658 ``yes,'' without further user interaction. |
6552 | 1659 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1660 @item backup |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1661 Move back to the previous place that a question was asked about. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1662 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1663 @item edit |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1664 Enter a recursive edit to deal with this question---instead of any |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1665 other action that would normally be taken. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1666 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1667 @item delete-and-edit |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1668 Delete the text being considered, then enter a recursive edit to replace |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1669 it. |
6552 | 1670 |
65182
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1671 @item recenter |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1672 Redisplay and center the window, then ask the same question again. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1673 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1674 @item quit |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1675 Perform a quit right away. Only @code{y-or-n-p} and related functions |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1676 use this answer. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1677 |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1678 @item help |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1679 Display some help, then ask again. |
54da3e88d8f6
(Searching and Matching): Move node.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
65122
diff
changeset
|
1680 @end table |
6552 | 1681 |
1682 @node Standard Regexps | |
1683 @section Standard Regular Expressions Used in Editing | |
1684 @cindex regexps used standardly in editing | |
1685 @cindex standard regexps used in editing | |
1686 | |
1687 This section describes some variables that hold regular expressions | |
1688 used for certain purposes in editing: | |
1689 | |
1690 @defvar page-delimiter | |
21682
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1691 This is the regular expression describing line-beginnings that separate |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1692 pages. The default value is @code{"^\014"} (i.e., @code{"^^L"} or |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1693 @code{"^\C-l"}); this matches a line that starts with a formfeed |
90da2489c498
*** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents:
21007
diff
changeset
|
1694 character. |
6552 | 1695 @end defvar |
1696 | |
12067 | 1697 The following two regular expressions should @emph{not} assume the |
1698 match always starts at the beginning of a line; they should not use | |
1699 @samp{^} to anchor the match. Most often, the paragraph commands do | |
1700 check for a match only at the beginning of a line, which means that | |
12098 | 1701 @samp{^} would be superfluous. When there is a nonzero left margin, |
1702 they accept matches that start after the left margin. In that case, a | |
1703 @samp{^} would be incorrect. However, a @samp{^} is harmless in modes | |
1704 where a left margin is never used. | |
12067 | 1705 |
6552 | 1706 @defvar paragraph-separate |
1707 This is the regular expression for recognizing the beginning of a line | |
1708 that separates paragraphs. (If you change this, you may have to | |
8469 | 1709 change @code{paragraph-start} also.) The default value is |
12067 | 1710 @w{@code{"[@ \t\f]*$"}}, which matches a line that consists entirely of |
1711 spaces, tabs, and form feeds (after its left margin). | |
6552 | 1712 @end defvar |
1713 | |
1714 @defvar paragraph-start | |
1715 This is the regular expression for recognizing the beginning of a line | |
1716 that starts @emph{or} separates paragraphs. The default value is | |
53568
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1717 @w{@code{"\f\\|[ \t]*$"}}, which matches a line containing only |
a93ed629b104
Various small changes in addition to the following.
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
52978
diff
changeset
|
1718 whitespace or starting with a form feed (after its left margin). |
6552 | 1719 @end defvar |
1720 | |
1721 @defvar sentence-end | |
57403
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1722 If non-@code{nil}, the value should be a regular expression describing |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1723 the end of a sentence, including the whitespace following the |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1724 sentence. (All paragraph boundaries also end sentences, regardless.) |
6552 | 1725 |
57403
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1726 If the value is @code{nil}, the default, then the function |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1727 @code{sentence-end} has to construct the regexp. That is why you |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1728 should always call the function @code{sentence-end} to obtain the |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1729 regexp to be used to recognize the end of a sentence. |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1730 @end defvar |
6552 | 1731 |
57403
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1732 @defun sentence-end |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1733 This function returns the value of the variable @code{sentence-end}, |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1734 if non-@code{nil}. Otherwise it returns a default value based on the |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1735 values of the variables @code{sentence-end-double-space} |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1736 (@pxref{Definition of sentence-end-double-space}), |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1737 @code{sentence-end-without-period} and |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1738 @code{sentence-end-without-space}. |
5353c1a56ee3
(Regexp Example): Update description of how Emacs currently recognizes
Luc Teirlinck <teirllm@auburn.edu>
parents:
57252
diff
changeset
|
1739 @end defun |
52401 | 1740 |
1741 @ignore | |
1742 arch-tag: c2573ca2-18aa-4839-93b8-924043ef831f | |
1743 @end ignore |