in reply to Using a config file in my regexp script.

Howdy!

First off, jeffa++!

So, Tricky, you say you are investigating the use of regexp to parse HTML. Have you yet considered the outcome of that investigation to be "don't do that"? You seem fixated on finding a contrary answer despite the cogent arguments repeatedly adduced against the use of regexen.

Are you really that dense?

I don't know whether you came up with the question to investigate or if you had it thrust upon you. In either case, you need to step way back and reevaluate whether or not you *can* do what you propose. It's not a sign of stupidity to discern that the proposed task just cannot be done. It is one to stubbornly persist even after it has been shown to be not doable.

Which shoe fits you?

yours,
Michael

  • Comment on Re: Using a config file in my regexp script.

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Re: Re: Using a config file in my regexp script.
by ruhk (Scribe) on Sep 17, 2003 at 18:33 UTC
    Did I miss something? Im going out on a limb here as a rather new Monk, however I really havent come across a reckless flame such as your post.

    And second, im sure its possible to do what he wants with a regexen. It would be ugly! The proper and appropriate question here is 'why?'

    In short, please keep your comments of being 'dense' and 'stupid' and 'stubborn' to youself.

    Feel free to downvote me, although I enjoy reading these boards to increase my knowledge and understanding of perl, not to tell people they are stupid for trying something without even explaining it.
[reply]
      Howdy!

      Perhaps you've missed the ongoing saga as Tricky asked numerous questions that have led to this thread. He has been given ample reasons why his approach was fatally flawed, but has insisted that he had to go forward anyway. Kind of like the Light Brigade...

      If you were not aware of the history ex-thread, you certainly can be forgiven for your reaction.

      However, note several things. I only *asked* if he was as dense as it appeared. Subtle, but (in my opinion) important. On my use of "stubborn" and "stupid", I tried to avoid absolute assertions about the character of Tricky, giving him some wiggle room to save face.

      On the substance of your note: the full range of HTML markup is sufficiently complex in the right ways as to make parsing it by regular expressions impossible. A full-blown parser is required. I'm not able to explain it in gory details, but I recommend looking over Tricky's past posts to see how this whole meta-thread has developed.

      yours,
      Michael

[reply]
        Ok after looking around at previous posts, I now agree you are in the right ^_^
[reply]

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