else if (!sawopen && (OP(first) == STAR &&
    PL_regkind[(U8)OP(NEXTOPER(first))] == REG_ANY) &&
    !(r->reganch & ROPT_ANCH) )
{   
    /* turn .* into ^.* with an implied $*=1 */
    /* ... */
}

##</code><code>##

/* Skip introductions and multiplicators >= 1. */
while ((OP(first) == OPEN && (sawopen = 1)) ||
    /* ... */
) { /* ... */ }