That's not exactly true. $& is only inefficient if you have another regexp in your program which doesn't capture.

However, it's use is discouraged, since captures can perform the same task without the "effect at a distance" of $&.

In this case, just replace $& with $1, and you're set.

In reply to Re^3: 'grouping' substrings? by ikegami
in thread 'grouping' substrings? by Anonymous Monk

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