my $re = qr{
    ^               # Beginning of line
    \s*             # Optional whitespace
    ([a-zA-Z0-9_]+) # Capture(1) Alphanumeric LHS
    \s*             # Optional whitespace
    (               # Capture(2) either:
        [<>!]=      #   <=, >=, !=
    |
        [<>=]       #   <, >, =
    )
    \s*             # Optional whitespace
    ([a-zA-Z0-9_]+) # Capture(3) Alphanumeric RHS
}x;